Evening star., 1934-02-25

france nateS Cne possibility OF q Ger
man-Austrian union. Henry Ber-
enger, president of the Committee on
Foreign Affairs in the French Senate,
says Austria must be defended, II
need be, for the armed forces OF
France, italy and England.
England is not in the least likely
to take part in that adventure. But
one sees a new danger full of ex-
plosives looming up in a Europe al
ready soaked with passion.
What is it all about? What IL
happening in Europe to cause these
sudden outbreaks Of violence? What
forces are gathering and uniting be-
meath the thin crust Of such peace
as is still maintained?
The answers to those questions will
be written, I believe, in the very
tragic pages Of future history un-
less passion is replaced by intelli-
gence, which now is being abandoned
almost deliberately in favor Of in
stinct, emotion. intolerance and Wo-
lence.
Old Ideals Defeated.
One thing is happening to alter
the whole structure Of European
civilization. That is the Fascist ad-
vance over the corpse Of liberty. The
old ideals of democracy-free speech
and opinion, parliamentary govern
ment, gradual evolution toward gen.
eral prosperity and culture, the right
of the individual to his own way OF
life-have been attacked and defeated
in almost every great country In
Europe except England and France
And even FTance-or some part OF
France-is becoming doubtful
Look at the map of Europe today
in its political colors. There is a
Fascist block from the Baltic to the
Mediterranean. Mussolini in Rome
looks at a Europe which has taken
over his philosophy with slight local
differences. In Germany, Austria
and Italy itself the corporate state
In now enthroned. No man or woman
has right to think or act otherwise
than as the state DEGREES.
Within those frontiers and in other
countries with other forms Of dicta-
torship or state control. including
Russia, democracy is either dead or
stunned. Liberty has gone. The in
dividual has became a soldier.
! am not holding a brief for de-
mocracy. 1t may have committed sui
eide. 1t may have collapsed by its
own weakness and corruption. Some
people in Paris with whom I have
been talking believe this with re-
gard TO their own country.
French Youth Disguised.
But it is futile to pretend that this
change has not occurred and is not
still occurring. 1t is something that
has happened in the mind of the
youth Of many nations 1t is a de-
sire for quick action. 1t is national
discipline, intolerance, vague ideal
ism, disgust with a liberalism which
has not produced prosperity and a
cynical disbelief in anything but
force, aggression and authority.
have just been talking with a
French royalist. He was In the crowd
which advanced upon the Chamber
Of Deputies fortnight ago. He says
that the French youth of the univer-
S4SlCo dll1 sOS0 IiAlNdlC-CldoS 1oIIA1lcS
are utterly disguised with the corrup-
tl0n, weakness and insinceritieS Of
the government and its system.
He believes that the rage against
the deputies which led to many
deaths and large casualty list, when
the crowd was fired upon. was in
spired by wave of Indignation
against men who talk and do moth
ing, men who put their party before
their nation, men who are willing to
surrender the safety of France so
long as they keep their jobs.
He spoke as royalist, but when
he described the activities and ideas
of the Camelots du Roi and the pa
triotic youth movement in France
saw that it was a form of French
fascism which he was unconsciously
advocating But hasten to add that
so far as the eye can see royalism
in France and Fascist ideals have not
made great headway.
Forces Driven Underground.
Nevertheless. parliamentarism in
France is under a heavy cloud-and
there is only a truce in Paris. If
Premier Doumergue should fail there
may be worse than riots.
Democracy is dying or dead in
many nations, although I do not in
clude France. Liberty no longer dares
to speak aloud within such states. But
who, having read little history, can
believe that a spirit of revolt against
iron discipline of mind and body will
not assert itself one day, even In these
Fascist states?
Without a parliamentary system
which allows for compromise there is
the peril Of revolution, which is cruel
and frightful to both sides. Deter
mined forces are going underground,
and that is the most dangerous place
into which they can be driven.
In this advance of fascism in Eu-
rope, armies of youth in different
colored shirts are marching around
with flags and swastikas. But their
leaders depend for their support and
loyalty upon one incalculable factor.
CRY men? Can they sell more goods
ooAo ooo' Soii IiicJ oCiCat oiA CiieAiy
against whom machine guns and high
explosives are useless?
That is the enemy's arithmetic. 1t
is the economic situation of Europe
which will decide these issues, and
at the moment, in many countries.
fascism is working on unbalanced
budgets.
Sir Philip Gibbs next dispatch will
discuss 1.-The Anxieties of France"
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World rights reserved)