Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-13

war we're two-fold and Of contradic-
tory character. On the one hand, IL
proved a mighty stimulus TO ma
tionalism, and on the other hand, II
brought the nations closer TO each
other even though their path leo
through horrors unspeakable. The war
lifted the lid off the European brain.
It gave us more intimate idea OF and
deeper appreciation of Europe, ana
has therefore operated with equal force
against national isolation.
Interdependence Forced.
The same applies to the present
economic crisis. which is perhaps tne
crisis of the capitalist system IN gen
oral The economic crisis too-and this
is particularly noticeable in Germany
has added fuel TO the fire of nationalist
PASSIONS. On the other hand, however
the common trouble has torceo :le
nations to cooperate with eacn owner
Personal meetings between the natloIlai
leaders have become striklngly IrequeIlV
and one is sometimes LETT WIN tne MI
preston that the nationallstic actIViCiee
Countries is no more than the scenery
behind which the real Developments
GSIlulIls " IllC NOAAS
are taking place.
Certain it is that the process OF UNI
fication which is taking place oehlno
the screen of nationalistlc oenloilsVla-
tions has the approval OF the best mlnos
in every country. l am connoenI tnaC
wisdom and a better recognition OF Ine
need of the times will ultimately pre-
vail over stupidity and saper lalCiIls
I will mention no names, ouC d coili.
parison in all countries between nv
histories and regulations ana LIiCeile e..
tual level of those who are WorkIlis ~
the consolidation of Europe ana Ine
nolitical reactionary leaders would un-
doubtedlv prove that the noble elemehI
is on the side of European peace anu
Particularly does this apply to France
and Germany. All the best minds IN
both Countries agree that the tate OF
Enrope depends on the relationship DE-
tween these two great peoples DoIIi VA
whom have done so mucn lor SNliAS e.
ton and whom a tragic 1ate mas ~
so long condemned to mutual ha1L .t
I speak from personal eXperlence' s sisitc
To paris since the war, when say tnat
the intellectual world in France tWlCll
few freak exceptions) is all IN laNol
of an understanding with Germany as
a matter of sincere convlcton; inc
best minds in Germany share TINS con-
viction. and it is to be ferVently IlopeSu
that the masses in both countries VIII
soon be converted to the same view
Silent on Bolshevism.
determined as l have been In my
opposition to national Socialism, nave
so far refrained from defining my az
titude to bolshevism. l musI COMES
that. to some extent, this has oeen que
to feeling of tolerant caution: Iol !
find myself incapable OF worKne ny
Experiment of the East the implacanle
antagonism which I feel against Ma
tional- Socialism. ~.
This must not be taken to mean that
I agree with the tenets OF Communism.
Far from it; that would be diametrl-
cally opposed to my profession OF iaith
in democracy. AS product OF middle
class culture, cannot regard the apso,
lutte dominion of the community ana
the dreadfully ascetic suppression OF
personal freedom as anything OUT
strange and menacing. The IDEAL OF
freedom is too deeply rooted in Europe
for me to admit the possibility tnat
bolshevism will ever establish itself IN
Fascism, especially from the German
angle, forces me to admit the higher
morality of bolshevism and the SIN
certify of its bold striving toward a
better future. That my views on Dol.
shevism are shared by others is proved
by Bernard Shaw's recent enthusiastic
praise of the Russian experiment.
Nevertheless. / can only repeat that
the physical and intellectual tyranny OF
bolshevism seems to be irreconcilable
with European ideals. I hope that
Europe will emerge from the present
confusion with q new strength, but
without denying the ideals which
brought her through the childbirth O
her civAizations