The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1929-09-13
Europe Reyives an Old Phrase

The United States of Europe remains a phrase. From
time to time it becomes a dramatic political vision. but SO
far. through centuries Of efforts at unifyins its heterogen-
eous element. Europe has remained a Europe of disunitcd
states. a realm Of economic barriers, a camp Of warning
nations. a continent of fcud and discord.
Now. moved by the spectre Of subjugation through the
power of the American dollar, France has blown the
breath Of life again into the ancient dream Of continental
unity. What Pitt could do for Britain, Peter the Great
for Russia. Cavour for Italy and Bismarck for Germany
In the sphere Of their own lands. Aristidc BRAND now
would accomplish for all Europe, on the scale of a con-
ttnent.
Always. however, in the efforts at European unity,
whether in the Holy Alliance, the Napolconic scheme OF
conquest or the cncircling entcntes Of Edward the Sew
enth, Europe has remained an analogical Babel. in whose
welter OF tongues. tribes, religions and racial customs,
the builders have been confounded by the collapse Of
their ambitious visions. Can Premier BRAND accomplish
what 50 often has failed to rise above the heights Of mere
dream in Europe?
Certainly neither the differentiation Of tongues. Of ma
sional PHILOSOPHERS. OF customs or religion have changed
In Europe. That continent still is a continent Of from
tiers Of more than geographical significance. It is a world
spotted with divcrsitics between which there seems pos
sible no political affinity.
The BRAND idea is largely economic. Right there is a
weakness that seems fatal from the outset. The geo.
graphic frontiers CT the various states are as much. If
not more SO, customs barriers than they are Of natures
making and cthnic. 1t seems impossible that any set OF
statesmen admittedly below the stature OF the giants OF
the past should be able 10 overcome these handicaps to
any attempt to unity Europe into G United States even
Ii such only in an economic sense. 1t is TO shut off the
life blood CT the various nations If these revenue pro-
ducing frontiers are to BE- wiped OFT, as II would seem
must be more CT less the case If an economic confcdcra-
ton is to be undertaken.
And as a Move asainct the growing economic pcnc-
trati2l Of the United States III Europa. France will find
ro sympathy in Germany. Dr. Strcscnl.nn, the c,lanccl-
lor, has so informed the European statesmen III the as
ssmhly at Geneva. He came cut strongly in favor Of the
BRAND proposal. but he made it clear that his support
was contingent upon such IN organization being in no
way directed against the United States Of America. Il
am against creating an economic clicarchy in Europe
he said, making another allusion, as it was Interpreted, in
opposition to a combination against America.
Anyhow, the French basis for the proposed union is
rather hysteric. As analysed in Tho Tribune yesterday,
seduction Of the French from their "contcnted cow lives
and Charley Chaplin, with his dcmorali.lne comedy code
Of manners, are what arc most alarmingly regarded. be-
cause in the penetration of these into the lives OF the
people is seen the menace to the entire system of French
culture. These things may not prove the penetration that
the French fear. They may prove an injection OF new
blood, a TRANSMISSION of new ideas and methods which will
more for Europe than formation OF an imitation United
States palpably unable to level down the old racial d-
verSities and animositics.