Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-10-05
L. s. MAY FEEL REACTION
OF HARD TIMES ABROAD
Upsetting of Governments on Demand
for War Debts Revision Seen
of Vital Concern.

Europe republics and relationships alike
can crumble under strain, and this
process of crumbling is going on Wsibly
before our own eyes.
Soviet Policy Stated.
And although it is easy to smile at
the calculations of the Soviet leaders,
that they can shake the stability of the
social order in the United States by
depressing the price of wheat, it is
necessary to perceive that tactics that
are futile in the United States can be
effective in Europe and are likely to be
empR yed by the directing minds in
Moscow, even though their effect be
not 20 establish bolshevist control but
only to undermine existing regimes.
Before the World War, hard times in
Europe carried little menace to the gov
ernments of any of the considerable
powers, because all such governments
were too solidly entrenched and. save
in Russia, too completely accepted by
the various peoples. No such situation
of assured order exists in Europe today,
outside of France and Britain and
, few of the smaller neutrals of the
World War. In a sense the situation
recalls that at the very close of the
World War when the sufferings of all
peoples had reached their frightful
maximum.
All who were in Europe in that Win
ter of 1888 will recall the recurring
panics produced by apparent signs of a
sudden sweep OF bolshevism westward to
the Rhine. When Bella Kun was in
Budapest and Kurt Eisner in Munich.
| the apprehensions in Paris we're so
acute that memory of them awakens
amusement now. when their unhealthy Is
appreciated. Today, of course. no seri-
Gus danger of bolshevist push exists.
After IL years the physical condition
of the masses of Russian workers and
| farmers alike Is too well known to in
spire any imitation Of the Russian ex-
| pertinent.
Reaction Danger Seen.
In 1919 the danger was red, in 1880
| It Is clearly white. That is to say what
is to be feared is not revolution but
reaction, not dictatorship of the pro-
| letariat, but the dictatorship of some
soldier or politician whose purpose 1t is
to restore the still remembered pros
perity of vanished regime by the en-
ployment of force at home and abroad.
And the danger arises from the un-
mistakable fact, disclosed alike in italy
years ago and in Germany at the mo-
ment, that youth is coming to the fore,
impatient of present hardships, con-
| temptuous of existing leaders, destitute
of any respect for the old religion of
democracy, youth too young to remen1-
Der the war. too inexperienced to per-
ceive the limits of all forms of govern
ment. but strong enough to impose its
will If it acts concertedly.
Economic Factor Vital
Ten years ago, when the peace
treaties were just come in force, the
common judgment was that If decade
of peace could only be assured the
world would settle down to the order
| thus established. internationally the
10 years have come and gone with no
further considerable European conflict.
but the economic factor has upset all
calculations and almost universal pop
ular unrest in Europe clearly challenges
| the survival of much II not all that
was decided at Paris
No sensible man will now forecast
immediate war in Europe or early reyo-
luton in Germany, Poland, Italy, Aus
tria or certain other countries in which
| hard times are exercising their sway.
| But by contrast every one at all ia
miliar with European conditions must
see that the approaching Winter is
going to be a period of great strain and
justified anxiety and that while 1t is
possible and perhaps justifiable to dis
count the dangers, it would be futile to
deny their existence.
tCopyright, 1907