The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1920-06-18
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h8XEZ& At this time Mr. H. p. Dawson.
21Mt::l Il partner In the firm Of J. p. Nor
XGf:@ee6 gan, seems thoroughly quail
- E.cxI fed than any other person in Amer
lea to express an authoritative
opinion on conditions In Europe.
tie 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
tia details Of complex situations. And on top Of
MS unusual personal qualifications trustwor-
thy observer and reporter, he has just through
MS position as head of an international organiza-
ton, had put In his possession the latest and COM
pletest mass of information obtalnabe anywhere
lie is chairman Of the board Of governors and
therefore ex-oficio head Of the League Of Red
GROSS societies which comprises all the Red Cross
societies In the world except those of the central
powers, ana has just returned from the first
ference of this organization, held In Geneva.
At 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
Melr nrst-hand reports were received and exam.
'neu. Inc result was the composite picture OF
postwar Europe in the winter and spring of 1920
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
Is not an Interview. But when his unique posi-
ton as source of Information pressed on
his attention, he granted the Sunday World &C
cess to his data. and what follows may be taken as
a substantially accurate and complete statement
OF the facts he sees them. Its significance
therefore hardly be overemphasized.
The catastrophe" wrote Mr.. Bafour chair
man OF the Council Of the League OF Nations. to
the Red Cross conference at Geneva, lis Of
examped magnitude" and In the same communi-
cation referred to ''the horrors with which we are
faced" and stated they had reached appalling
proportions"
These are very strong expressions, coming
from parsonage of such standing. They indicate
recognition of disaster.
Is there any hope of setting matters right Can
Europe come back2" Or Is she bankrupt The
present SUMMARY of known facts will be an at
tempt to indicate an answer to that question.
At the outset 1t Is necessary to clarity the sit
uation by making certain distinctions. Europe
stretches over 100000 square miles. Its people
number 460.00000O, more than quarter Of the
globes estimated population Furthermore at
present Europe as unit is non-exstent, II 1t
existed 1t 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 40OOO,-
600 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 Belgum-are another.
And the less stabilized countries Of the central
and eastern regions are fifth. Between these
groups conditions vary greatly, and this must be
kept in mind In considering whether Europe Is
solvent or bankrupt.
About principal allies in the west there is
no question. They are strongly going concerns
still, and, despite their own distress, doing
their best to pull their neighbors out of the Slough
of Despond. The French peasant is working and
the French artisan despite sad need OF raw
materials has not lost his habit of industry and
thrift The encouraging fact about France today
is that her people fully alive to the serious
ness of her problem and are going forward brave
ly to solve 1t.
Italy too, despite her great shortage OF raw
material, is looking forward not backward, led
by one of the great men produced by the war, Mr.
Nitti. He is truly wise statesman and under
his leadership Italy 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-
struction with quiet courage and sturdy common
sense. She is doing each days work. and at the
same time rendering all assistance her resources
win permit to the countries on the continent
Belgium and France and Italy and England
asking no charity of the United States Their
peoples as proud 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 population of 125 COO 600
Combining them with the 100000 neutraIs IL
appears that about third Of the people of Eu-
rope could not be referred to bankrupt Some
of them in serious difficulties but they have
plenty of hope left, as well as energy for the
tasks Of reconstruction.
This distinction drawn, and 1t being under
stood that Germany, because her problems SO
peculiar to herself, is left out OF the discussion,
1t is not too much to say that In all the rest Of
Europe--excepting. possibly Russia, about which
reports are Observation-Disclosures has broken
down. For something like 200,00OO00 people,
disease bereavement and suffering are present
In practically every household while food and