Jim Kershner’s This day in history

From our archives, 100 years ago

The Spokesman-Review editorial page opined that a certain large European nation was a strong force for “international peace.”

That particular nation’s ruler had “swayed the scepter for more than two decades without once drawing the sword.” The nation had enjoyed unbroken peace for nearly 42 years.

“A generation has grown up that knows the so-called glories of war only as a tradition and cares only for the triumphs of peace and industry and the increase of prosperity,” said the editorial writer.

“It comprehends perfectly that successful war would disturb the sound development of the country and that unfortunate war would spell economic disaster.”

It concluded that this European nation shared a belief with the United States in “peace-loving internationalism.”

That country was Germany, which two years later would embroil Europe in World War I. The U.S. would enter the war against Germany in 1917.

Also on this date

(From the Associated Press)

1942: During World War II, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, which authorized the U.S. military to relocate and intern American residents of Japanese ancestry, a majority of whom were native-born U.S. citizens.