The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-09-29
Liberal Viewpoint
by DIR. HARRY ELMER BARNES

TINE question of whether FaScism will come
Il to the United States is one of the most
debated issues now before the American public.
And it is rightly so, because no more funda-
mental issue faces our country along with the
rest of the western world
One mans opinion this may be suspected
of bias or prejudice, but symposium has more
significance. One of the best which has yet ap-
peared is that in the current number of the
Modern Monthly contributed to by Stuart
Chase, Charles A. Beard, Theodore Dresser. Nor
man Thomas, Horace M. Kallen, Waldo Frank
and V. F. Galveston.
All these men think that Fascism is certainly
possible in the United States, though DR.. Kallen
has more faith than the others in our liberty
loving traditions. These don't cut much ice with
Dr. Beard who is inclined to think that the ma
terials out of which Fascism is made are I'M
usually numerous and appropriate in the United
States
THE middle-class materials for Fascism are
present in American society on a larger scale
relatively speaking than in Germany or Italy.
That millions of Americans can be marshaled
under the banner of force and terror seems to
be demonstrated by the extraordinary growth of
the Ku-KluX Khan few years ago.
How lightly many American communities
regard the principles of democracy free speech,
and free press is demonstrated by numerous Ia
Dor and race controversies in various parts of
the country
1.-The finder is here for the flame and it may
be touched off in a deepening and spreading
social crisis"
NORMAN THOMAS is inclined to discredt
the alarm created by the Silver Shirts,
Christian Crusaders, and the like, but he does
scent real danger in the existence of such or
CARNATIONS as the American Legion, the Reserve
Officers Association, and the like.
He calls attention to the fact that, without
any public discussion and with the consent of
the President, congress just has given outright
$4,000 frst-clasS army rifles to the American
Legion. Moreover, he is much more concerned
over such symptoms as General Johnson's con-
duct at the time of the San Francisco strike.
Stuart Chase's analysis is extremely sensible.
He believes that the general economic Setup in
this country is well adapted to drift toward
FasciSm, with little prospect that the disorgan-
lied radical groups will be able to head it off.
Yet, Mr.. Chase finds a number of very def
mite factors which work against Fascism here
Cd In spite of temporary alterations, we do
have a definite attachment to democratic and
parliamentary institutions.
90 The very size of the United States makes
Fascist coup-d'etat much more difficult than
the smaller European countries.
CD Other nations have a few vital urban
centerS, control Of which gives any group donlin-
ion over the whole country, whereas, in the
United States there are more than 100 strategic
points spread over 5000 miles of territory.
ca The United States is economically self
sufficient.
60 The United States emerged from the
World war with superiority rather than an in
feriorty complex, leaving us with no bitter feel
ing of resentment
co President Roosevelt may be moved by the
failure of his moderate program into a sharp
swing to the left which would checkmate the
whole Fascist movement.
THERE is one point in Mr.. Chase's analysis
which particularly warrants emphasis
talism it never can actually do so. The only
reason why the western world has any need for
going Fascist is the fact that capitalism will not
give sufficient purchasing power to the masses.
But the latter move is absolutely the only thing
pect that capitalism will be more generous and
intelligent under Fascism than it is today is
sheer absurdity.