The Republican., 1934-01-18
NATIONAL AFFAIRS
By FRANK P. LITsCHERT

President Roosevelt has read his
message to Congress and the nations
legislative body is once more under
way. Just what the result will be re-
mains to be seen. The enthusiastic re-
ception given the President when he
appeared at the Capitol would indi
cate that Congress intends to go along
with him. In short, Congress has come
in like lamb. Whether it will go out
the same way or assume leonine at
tributes before the session is over,
likewise remains to be seen. At this
time the administration has the stu
alton we'll in hand, so far as the con-
troll of legislation is concerned.
If there were any who expected the
President to enunciate new programs
for recovery or a modification of those
already in effect, they have learned
that they were mistaken. The Presi-
dent displayed a feeling of optimism
so far as the prospects for national re-
covery are concerned, and instead of
suggesting new things, has demanded
an expansion of the new deal, which
he thinks is necessary to insure prog
ress. No details were given as to the
development of the program in the
near future, but it is expected that
recommendations for these details
will be forthcoming in additional mes
sages to Congress from time to time.
While President Roosevelt, as one
correspondent puts it, "paints an op-
timistic picture of returning recov-
ery," his comments on foreign affairs
wer Elm more subdued vein. 81 can
not" he said, unfortunately, present
you a picture of complete optimism
regarding world affairs" Comment
ing on the prospects for monetary sta
| biliZation he declared: Careful in
vestigation and constant study prove
that in the matter of foreign exchange
rates, certain of our sister nations
find themselves so handicapped by in
ternal and other conditions that they
feel unable at this time to enter into
stabilization discussions based on
permanent and worldwide objectives.' -
Americans have been so wrapped up
in their own affairs and their efforts
for national recovery from the depres-
sion that most of US have failed to ap-
preciate the seriousness of the foreign
situation at this time. Undoubtedly
the President realizes the seriousness
of world conditions much better than
can the average citizen, and this
doubtless accounts in part with the
quality of his tone in touching on con-
ditions outside the borders of the I'm
tied States.
1t is worth noting, however, that
while we are concerned with such
questions as currency expansion, the
budget, unemployment, banking and
so on, the people in European capitals
are talking openly about war. Some
of the politicians over there think that
hostilities will come in the year 1884
There is fear of war everywhere, a
state of mind which is apt to bring or
the very thing which the people are
afraid of. For eXemple: the French
people are convinced that Germany is
rearming and that it is only ques.
tion of time until the Teuton armies
will be on the march again. The ques,
tion is being asked in France whethe,
it would not be better for French ar
mics to strike before Germany is any
better prepared than at present.
In the Orient the situation is not
far different. Russia claims to feal
the movements of the Japs in the Fal
East and many students of Orienta
|; affairs are predicting war there before
the year is out. France has allies il
Poland and the Little Entente and il