The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-08-31
Liberal Viewpoint
by DIR. HARRY ELMER BARNES

ON the heels Of strong note from the Soviet
" government to Japan comes a bellcose
manifesto from Il Duce, exceeding in swagger
anything which he has uttered in the last five
years He told his countrymen:
We must become a military nation, even a
militarstic nation, event might ada war
ike nation"
It takes more than talk to make war, but
war talk helps on that hysterical attitude which
makes hostiIities easy to provoke. Moreover,
Mussoni would not be likely TO beat his breast
in this manner if he did not think war probable
If not imminent.
There are a number of outstanding sore
spots in the political Europe Of today, any one
Of which matches for danger the Austro-
Serbian friction of twenty years ago.
Such are the Polish Corridor, to which Ger
many never will resign herself without tight,
whatever Htler's declaration for public con-
sumption; the rivalry between Italy and Yugo-
slavia over Dalmatia and the Balkans COM
parable to the old Austro-Russian ambitions
and jealousies before 1914, and the problems
Of Austro- German union which jealous neigh
bors seem bent upon manipulating in such a
fashion as to invite a European war.
These are only the most striking instances
among many.
OUCH areas and issues as these are the ones
y commented upon most usually by writer's Of
foreign relations when they are discussing the
prospects Of war and peace in Europe. But far
more potent and dangerous are those economic
forces which are coming to the fore during the
terminal stages Of European capitalism.
Overwhelmingly important is the growing
economic tension in those Fascist states which
rapidly are nearing the end of their rope in a
financial, industrial and commercial sense.
If the European capitalists would give the
masses a decent break in the division of social
income, prosperity and content might prevail
oy7d he for 70 pis he
latter comes the last desperate effort to save
a greedy capitalism by force if necessary. De-
pending for its support upon those capitalist
groups who insist upon hogging the social in
come, Fascism will not make sufficient conces-
sons to mass purchasing power to create an
enduring economic order. The very forces which
bring Fascism into existence are intensified as
time goes along.
For while the masses may be appeased tenn
porariy through increased employment provided
by public works and the like. But in time the
fiddler has to be paid and the final crisis of
Fascism then stares the dictators in the face.
And no dictator who has had sufficient stamina
to establish himself in Office will meekly step
down without fight.
DOTH extremes in European society welcome
ID the prospects Of a general war The
Fascists think that if they are victorious in
an armed conflict they can save themselves
for at least a time The Communists welcome
the prospect of war-at least war between
capitalist states-because they believe that the
capitalistic system in Europe will collapse
quickly under the strain of war. The latter
will bring matters to a head quickly and will
expedite the building of the socialized COM
monwealth.
The Communistc prediction seems more
plausible than the Fascist hopes, but it is very
possible both of them guess wrong. H. G. Wells,
than whom there is no better social prophet,
predicts that the coming European war will be
followed by a generation Of confusion misery
and near anarchy over most of the western
world Victors will suffer about badly as the
conquered.
1t scarcely will do to be dogmatic about the
possible outcome Of a general European war,
but no great social order has ever yet given
way without long season of bloodshed and
confusion.
Such was the case with classical civilization
when the Roman Empire broke up. The downfall
of the medieval system was accompanied by a
series of peasant revolts, religio-political wars
and commercial conflicts.
We may be able to leap over this interval
Of chaos Certainly, the more fully we recognize
the possible dangers, the more likely We shall
be to be able to cope with the colossal problems
presented.