Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-09-17
,e Ebb Of Revolutionary
Inbu7se IN Eurobe
he

-HE weightiest change that has come to
pass on the other side Of the Atlantic
this year, thinks Mr.. George e.
I.oberts, lately returned from an extensive
frst-hand study of economic conditions IN
Europe, is the decline of the revolutionary
spirit. In the course Of his tour, says the
current Review of Reviews to which his in
teresting observations are contributed, he
had points of contact with leading European
men of business that gave unusual oppor-
tunites to form correct estimate of present
efforts toward reconstruction The situa-
ton, as he sees it, is far from all roseate;
the gray confusions of the war still l1nger,
with many irritants, backsets and stresses.
But the wonder is that those teem1ng Ola
World nations, swept to the verge of chaos,
have rallied so effectually and advanced
as far as they have toward the normal and
prosperous. "Substantial progress, Mr..
Roberts conservatively declares, has been
made"
The decline in the revolutionary spirit
has been accelerated by the news from Boil
shevist Russia. The moral and economic as
well as political breakdown Of Sovietlsm has
not been lost upon observant radicals. From
Germany, from France, from England went
specially chosen representatives OF labor ana
of socialist parties, resolved to find out for
themselves the truth of Russia and her
gigantic governmental experiment. They
went, they saw, and they returned, convinced
that the burdens of their own peoples could
not be lifted nor their countries problems
solved by reckless onsets upon the vital
structure of human society. Deep into
r,urope's mind sank the Russian tragedy of
errors with a SOLDERING reaction that makes
simpler the great tasks of reconstruction.
Thus of England it is said that while Brit
ish workmen no doubt will fight stubborn
ly for what they believe to be their proper
share of the fruits of industry" they will
fight, not as wild enemies of the whole es-
tablished order, but in the traditional Brit
ish manner. Likewise in France, the more
thoughtful of mass leaders in control;
and in Italy, where developments appeared
for while to be exceedingly i'll omened,
there has been a marked ebb of destructive
impulses. Recent disorders" writes Mr..
Roberts, "have been in large part due to the
aggressive action of the Fascist, a patriotic
society organized to oppose radical factions,
but which in misguided zeal has adopted
some of the violent tactics which the latter
had been practicing. In Italy the food sub
sides have been discontinued, and general
progress toward normality is being made.
Particularly notable is the continued trend
toward stable conditions in Germany, whose
perpleXed and shaken condition shortly after
the armistice exposed her to all manner OF
Bolshevist temptations. There was two
edged danger in the German situation: if the
revolution that overthrow the monarchy es-
capped intelligent control, it might plunge on
to the disastrous doctrines of Lenine; if
it lost heart it might swing back to the ex-
IRENE of Prussianism. The end is not yet,
but there is much reinsurance in that the
mass of the people are again industriously
. employed and that in fairly representative
Reichstag the balance of power is decidedly
with the democratic as distinct from both
the monarchist and the destructively radi-
cal elements.
Peculiarly interesting, if not so highly i'm
portant, is the Austrian prospect. Says the
competent American observer already quot
ed: 1.-THE political power of Austria is gone
and there is no reason to believe that it will
ever be restored, but business does not read
ily find new channels. Vienna has enjoyed
great prestige as a center of culture (hold-
ing proud position in art, in music, in med
icine and in other branches of science). The
railroads of Eastern Europe center there,
and the trade relations have been with
Vienna for a long time" But the historic
city is now so reduced in outlying dominion
and so hemmed about with customs BARRIERS
that she neither can prosper herself nor
render due service to the rest of Europe.
Hence, there is much talk that for the
common prosperity arrangements more
favorable must be effected" Moreover, a COM
mittee designated by the League Of Nations
has recommended that countries having
claims against Austria hold them in abey-
ance for period of years and give the coun-
try chance to tide over her now extreme
difficulties. All the principals concerned
have agreed, except the United States; and
it is hoped that the washington Government
will place no obstacles in the way of plan so
rich in possibilities for good which the
whole world will share
Indeed, the entire process of Europes eco
nomic recuperation and much of her political
stability as we'll, depend largely on America.
If our foreign policies are obstructive and IL
liberal, If our resources of helpfulness are
withheld, if our responsibilities in the re-shap-
ing of world affairs are shirked, the produc-
ing power, the buying power, the paying pow
err of Europe, in all of which we are materially
concerned, will be weakened; and, a natural
consequence, the forces Of European order and
progress, in which also we are vitality con-
cerned, will be impaired. Cooperate we must,
if the worlds common prosperity, which is
the only abiding prosperity, is to be upbuilt.
The contrary course, whether pursued in the
matter of import tariffs, or foreign loans. or
problems with which the League of Nato-s
deals, will lead away from our richest oppor-