Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1934-10-11
INTERNATIONAL
NEWS REVIEW
Continued from Page ~

Slavia. 1t seems that some intrepid
and perhaps impertinent Jugo-Slavian
papers recently have accused Italian
soldiers of being towards. That's too
much for the sensitiveness of Benito
Mussolini, Italys premier, so a few
days ago he found occasion to say,
in speech at Milan, that the pros
poets of friendship with Jugo-Slavia
are not very bright"
Such lack of friendship might spoil
some of the designs of France, so,
some time very soon Louis Barthou,
foreign minister of the French re-
public, will call on Mussolini in Rome
for the dual purpose of trying to
smooth out the difficulties between
Italy and Jugo-Slavia, and to pave
the way for some sort of an agree
ment between Italy and France.
Spectre of FaScism.
1t is not without interest to note
that France. just now having a semi
dictatorial government, is, more or
less. allying herself with Poland.
where actual dictatorship has proved
temporarily triumphant. In view of
the fact that democracy is gradually
vanishing from the map of continental
Europe, it is of vital Importance to
observe the incontrovertible fact that
dictatorship nowadays follows, large
ly speaking, the model of Italian fas-
ciSm.
The fear of that fascism prompted
bloody rebellion in Spain during
the end of last and the beginning
of this week. A few days ago the
Ricardo Sampler government
ported by parliamentary minority
groups-found it necessary to resign,
and President Niceto Alcala Zamora
then asked Alexandra Lerroux, vet
eran politician and former prime min
lister, to form a new government. He
undertook the task.
Lerroux felt that his authority
would have to depend on the reac-
tionary groups, that is, the rightist
and the clerical, and composed his
cabinet accordingly.
But that step was interpreted, in
liberal and radical circles, as a di-
rect approach to fascism.
Immediately general strike was
declared. Within few hours it de-
veloped into a revolution, indeed, into
a civil war-the bloodiest of the up
heavals that have shaken Europe this
year.
CatalOnian Independence.
Closely affiliated with politics as
are most European labor conflicts,
the province of Collaboration a long
time clamoring for political indie
pendence-rose up in arms especially
in Barcelona where the president of
the generalidad- legislative as
sembly-proclaimed the Free State
of Catalonia" No long lease on life
was accorded this newest state" for
government troops, aided by airplanes
and torpedo destroyers, swooped down
upon the rebellious city, caused it to
surrender, and proceeded to arrest
Luis Companys, the leader of the in
dependence fight, and many of his
supporters who now may have to face
a court-martial death sentence.
Throughout history Spaniards have
been known for their love of liberty,
their intense hatred of tyranny, no
matter what shape it might assume.
1t was that same sentiment which
asserted itself in the latest rising
which, while not perhaps successful,
constituted very serious warning to
those who still believe that the gov
eminent of a country should be en-
trusted to a few master minds rather
than to the duly elected representa-
tives of the people.
Similar currents of opinion may be
detected behind the general strike
which has been in effect in the re-
public of Cuba since Sunday mid
night: There, as in continental Eu-
rope, labor conflicts have very deep
political roots.
Naval Problems.
When you analyze the general world
situation, you find almost everywhere
similar tendency toward concentrat-
ing power in the hands of a few men.
1t holds true with respect to the
cause of disarmament, too. The fate
of that movement is not really deter
mined by the peoples or by their
elected representatives. 1t rests in
the will of the elect few-the diplo-
matte elite.
And it is that coterie which now
claims it is trying to effect naval
disarmament. How was it done at
the London naval conference in 1880?
Thus: All the participating powers
were given treaty authority to in
crease their navies. A definite de-
crease was the stated goal!
Soon the London treaty will expire,
and negotiations for it's renewal are
in progress. They were, in fact, dur
ing the summer, and then they ac-
complished nothing. A new attempt
is to be made this month, and so, pre-
liminary confabs will take place at
London. From the United States come
the travelling ambassador" Norman
H. Davis, and an admiral. AS though
an admiral can reasonably be pre-
sumed to interest himself in anything
like a planned decrease of a navy!
Japan's Attitude.