New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1920-06-11
II |

opinion on conditions in Europe.
lie has an extremely keen, clear mind. He is a
man of the largest affairs, accustomed by many
years of business experience to grasp the essen
tial details of complex situations. And on top of
his unusual personal qualifications as a trustwor-
my observer and reporter, he has just, through
ms position as head of an international organiza-
non had put in his possession the latest and COM
pletest mass of information obtainable anywhere.
lie is chairman of the board of governors and
therefore ex-olfciO head of the League of Red
cross societies which comprises all the Red Cross
societies in the world except those of the central
powers, and has just returned from the first con-
ference of this organization, held in Geneva.
Al this conference the European situation was
the main object of consideration, and to give a
oasis for discussion and action. experts were
brought in from the field all over Europe and
their frst-hand reports were received and exam
'hed. The result was the composite picture or
postwar Europe In the winter and spring Of 1917
which Mr.. Dawson holds in his mind.
BY fixed rule, Mr.. Dawson does not give inter
views to individual representatives of the press,
nor write signed statements for individual papers.
lie has not broken his rule in this instance. This
: not an interview. But when his unique posi-
loil as a source of Information was pressed on
his attention, he granted the Sunday World ac-
cess TO his data, and what follows may be taken as
a substantially accurate and complete statement
Of the facts as he sees them, Its significance can
therefore hardly be oyeremphasized.
THE catastrophe wrote Mr.. BalfOur. chair
man of the Council of the League of Nations, to
the Red Cross conference at Geneva, "s of I'M
'Nampled magnitude" and In the same communi-
'ation referred to 1.-THE horrors with which we are
faced" and stated they had reached appalling
proportions"
These are very strong expressions, coming
from a parsonage of such standing. They indicate
Il recognition of disaster.
Is there any hope Of setting matters right? Can
Europe come back? p Or is she bankrupt? The
present summary Of known facts will he nm at
tempt TO indicate an answer to that question.
At the outset 1t Is necessary to clarity the sit
uatlon by making certain distinctions. Europe
stretches over 100000 square miles. Its people
number 48O.OOO,OOO, more than n quarter of the
globes estimated population. Furthermore, at
present Europe as a unit Is non -existent. If IT ever
existed. II has been split by the war into various
groupings, in which conditions widely differ.
The neutrals, unravaged Spain, Switzerland,
Denmark, Norway and Sweden, with over 10000
900 population, constitute one group. Defeated
Germany and Austria form another. Russia Is a
third. The Big Four" OF the European allies
England, France Italy and Belglum-are another.
And the less stabilized countries OF the central
and eastern regions are a fifth. Between these
groups conditions vary greatly. and this must be
kept in mind in considering whether Europe is
solvent or bankrupt.
About our principal allies In the west there Is
no question. They are strongly going concerns
still. and, despite their own distress, are doing
their best to pull their n~eIghbors out of the Slough
Of Despond. The French peasant is working. and
the French artisan. despite a sad need OF raw
materials, has not lost his habit of Industry and
thrift. The encouraging fact about France today
is that her people are fully alive TO the serious
ness of her problem and are going forward brave
ly to solve IL.
italy foo HaGplta har eba,.-uo ---
material, is looking forward, not backward. led
by one Of the great men produced by the war. Mr..
Nltti. He is a truly wise statesman, and under
his leadership Italy can be relied on to do her
part by herself and her neighbors. Belgium. as
might have been expected, Is strongly on the mend.
and England Is meeting her problems Of recon.
sfruction with quiet courage and sturdy common
sense. She Is doing each days work, and at the
same time rendering all assistance her resources
will permit to the countries on the continent.
Belgium and France and Italy and England
are asking no charity of the United States. Their
peoples are as proud as We are-eager as we are
TO work out their own national destinies and car
ry on their own businesses. They seek only the on
portunity to regain their economic strength. And
these countries have a population of 125y 900 900.
Combining them with the 100000 neutrals. IL
appears that about a third of the people of Eu.
rope could not be referred to as bankrupt. Some
OF them are in serious difficulties, but they have
plenty Of hope left. as well as energy, for the
tasks OF reconstruction.
This distinction drawn. and it being under
stood that Germany. because her problems are so
peculiar to herself, is left out of the discussion.
il il not too much to say that In all the rest of
E1rop~excepting possibly. Russia, about which
reports are Observation-Disclosures has broken
down. For something like 100000 people.
disease. bereavement and suffering are present
ia practically every household, while food and