The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-07-11
Liberal Viewpoint
BY DIR. HARRY ELMER BARNES

n IN O0OOb1IN1 . Wal la LII WAAOR NN~
4VA his courage in talking turkey" to the
British Empire re-emphasize the menace of
war which hangs heavy over the foundering
efforts of statesmen and economists to deal eff
fectively with social and economic problems
within their boundaries.
Even if they should solve their domestic
difficulties, the tragedy of 1914 reminds us that
war may upset and nullify their most Sagaclous
and effective efforts at social justice and eco
nomic reconstruction. 1t takes more than talk
to make a war, but war talk helps on that
historical attitude which makes hoStilities
EASY to provoke. Moreover, Mussolini would
not be likely to beat his breast in this manner
if he did not think war probable, If not 1mm1-
nent.
There are a number of outstanding sore
spots in the political Europe of today, anyone
of which matches for danger the AuStro-Ser-
bian friction Of 20 years ago.
Such are the Polish Corridor, to which Ger
many will never resign herself without a
fight, whatever Hitler's declarations for public
consumption; the rivalry between Italy and
Yugoslavia over Dalmatia and the Balkans,
comparable to the old Austro Russian ambi-
lions and jealousies before 1914, and the prob
lens of Austro-G German union which jealous
neighborS seem bent upon manipulating IN
such a fashion as to invite a European war.
THESE are only the most striking instances
Il among many. Such areas and issues as
these are the ones most usually commented
upon by writer's on foreign relations when they
are discussing the prospects of war and peace
in Europe. But far more potent ard danger
Gus are those economic forces which are COM
ing to the fore during the terminal stages of
European capitalism.
Overwhelmingly important is the growing
economic tension in those Fascist states which
are rapidly 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 the
social income, prosperity and content might
prevail and there would be no immediate need
for Fascism. The latter comes as the last
desperate effort to save a greedy capitalism
by force if necessary.
Depending for its support upon those capt.
taliSt groups who insist upon hogging the So
cial income, Fascism will not make sufficient
concessions to mass purchasing power to create
an enduring economic order. The very forces
which bring Fascism into existence are inten-
sifed as time goes along.
For a while the masses may be temporarily
appeased through the 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 sufh-
cient stamina to establish himself in Office
will meekly step down without a fight.
A LONG with these domestic difficulties lies
IA the fact that colonies, raw materials and
markets have been lodged by a few fortunate
states, thus making it appear necessary for
both Germany and Italy to fight for the eco
nomic supplies essential to their existence.
This fact has been very we'll stated by Mr..
Frank H. Simonds:
AT the bottom alike of the Fascist and
National Socialist phenomena, however, lies
an economic factor which is unmistakable.
Both Italy and Germany are countries whose
natural resources are inadequate to support
their great populations and large and still
expanding industrial machines. Both are,
therefore. dependent upon the outside world
for those essential raw materials of industry
and supplies of foodStuf which alone can per-
nit prosperous and even tolerable national
existence.
In such a situation the German and
Italian choice is between accepting conditions
which must condemn their populations to a
steadily declining standard Of living and their
governments to eventua; social upheaval and
undertaking by violence TO destroy the exist
ing restrictions upon their own prosperity and
political order. For, as things stand, these
countries have no means other than war by
which to bring a change in a status quo which
is backed by the existing public international
law"
1t will scarcely do to be dogmatic about the
possible outcome Of a general European war,
but no great social order has ever yet given
away without a 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 &C
companied by a series Of peasant revolts, re-
ligio-poiitical wars and commercial conflicts.