The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1936-10-09
BACK TO PRE-WAR DAYS

ne TACT that Germany mas increased
the term of compulsory military training
from one to two years indicate the state
of affairs in Europe and gives to Germany
approximately the same size standing
army which she had when the World War
broke out ii 1914
boz Generally, the act is excused OF ac-
count of Soviet Russia, now arming herself
to become a powerful nation in the affairs
of Europe and the Far East Already from
Japan have come intimations that the
army leaders are convinced that Russia is
equipped to fight in Siberia. Also comes
the word, indirect, but believed in many
influential quarters, that the Germans and
the Japanese have an alliance.
According to many observers the Ger
man plan of action for the future looks to
the East, toward Russia, with positive
chances in the direction of the Southeast,
where great grain fields invite envious ad.
miration. 1t is not thought, at this time,
that Germany has any idea of war
against France except it be provoked by
conflict with Russia, now allied with
France.
Some people have concluded that
new alignment is about completed with
Italy also lined up with 'Hitler's domain
and with the Austrians ready ito catch
step at the proper time Ifsthis is correct
we will soon see in Europe an organized
group that TALES closely with the pre-war
alliance, broken when Italy refused to
back the Germans in 1914. However, with
Mussolini at the helm of Italian affairs
few people believe that he will fail to
carry out his assignment, provided the
stake is high enough to satisfy Italian am
billions.
France, on her part, has not been idle.
In addition to the alliance with Russia she
has assiduously courted the smaller nations
of the Balkans as well as the war-created
nations of Europe. Great Britain, so far,
seems not to have abandoned hope that
peace can be maintained and that a rap
prochement may be secured However,
her kinship with the French is strong and
events will almost inevitably throw the
English against the bloc in central Europe.
Thus we see anew the same situation
that existed before the World War, with
Japan as an additional factor of strength
to the German side if the alliance stories
are to be believed. 1t is a tragic spectacle
of humanity marching to the SHAMELESS
again. Armaments are being piled up,
men are being trained and preparations
rushed for another war. 1t may not &C.
cur, but no one can tell and responsible
statesmen, in every country, are cham
piOning preparedness.
The readers of this article may think
to themselves that the affairs of Europe
have little to do with the United States.
where sentiment for peace is strong and
there is no inclination to repeat the expert
ence of the last struggle. This is sad
error, also duplicating the state of mind
that existed here before the World War
began. Few persons in the United States
in 1914 slaamed that the United States
would be in the conflict but they lived to
see our boys carried across the water to
fight on foreign SOIL
Surely, there ought to be some way
to settle affairs without strife, but no one
knows the way to do it. The League of
Nations is apparently impotent and unable
to assume the task for which it was in
tended. Whether it could have COPIED
with the grave threat to peace, if it had
become strong and powerful body of in
ternational justice, no one knows. The
United States and other great nations
stand aloof. We insist that what happens
in European nations is not an affair in
volving u.s. Let us hope the attitude may
prove correct. / a7o01'8a
~ az Z AZ If! II