Evening star., 1936-12-15

the effect of the
Spanish revolution on the Latin
American countries can appreciate the
gravity of the controversies and dis
cussions that are going on there with
respect to the future social order Of
the American republics.
The average person in the United
States, for instance, would agree in
stantly that, if England adopted q
Fascist form of government, it might
have repercuSsions over here. At least
it would cause a good deal of a stir
Similarly. what happens in Spain
the mother country Of most Of the
Latin American republics-is of direct
and concrete interest to the countries
south Of the Rio Grande.
Democracy at Stake.
In the Latin American nations the
culture Of the people is largely Span
ish, and there is normally more news
printed in the newspapers about what
is happening in Spain than about any
other European country. The discus
sion of fascism and communism and
the death struggle between the fac
tions in Spain has inevitably raised
questions about the future of democ-
racy everywhere.
In such an atmosphere Mr.. Roose-
welt took the leadership on behalf of
the cause Of democracy. Irrespective
Of the treaties of peace that have been
promulgated at the Buenos Aires con-
ference, Mr.. Roosevelt's visit was a
timely expression of the purpose of the
leading American Nation to champion
the cause of democracy.
U. S. Course UndisclOsed.
Opinions will differ at home as to
whether the New Deal in actual prac-
tice is itself headed for more or
less democratic course. The decision,
as 1t affects many major policies, Is
not yet clear. But one thing Is
obvious-the members of the admin
stration have scrupulously refrained
from making statements as to the
future because they have not had the
word from Mr. Roosevelt himself.
There has been, incidentally. a
noticeable absence Of wise-cracking
and of hand comments about current
problems during Mr.. Roosevelt's ab-
sence. The mood has been one of
quiet expectation, and a desire to
get the cue from the President him.
self.
So far as the opposition to Mr..
Roosevelt is concerned, it bears
curious parallel in its attitude to
that which prevailed at the time of
the bank holiday. There Is a dis
position to await the unfolding Of
administration policies and the ex-
press criticism on the merits Of
legislation as the details are disclosed.
Calm Means Nothing.
The calm that has characterized
the national scene for the last few
weeks during the Presidents absence
can easily be misunderstood. 1t does
not mean that the administration has
abandoned its reform program. Nor
does it mean that those who have
opposed the administration sincerely
on what they feel are sound economic
grounds have suddenly decided to
accept unsound proposals.
The public Is impatient of partisan
criticism. but happily, with no election
on the horizon for some time yet, this
has disappeared from the picture.
The critics who will feel constrained
to raise their voices on specific items
rs they arise are those who remember
1929 and the cries that went up after
ward from q bitter public opinion
which wanted to know where were the
champions of sound economic doc
trine, as borrowing and expanding
. were done on an unparalleled scale.
Three Principal Problems.
The principal problems ahead of the
United States Government may be
summarized as follows:
= 1. How to live within its income.
2. How to keep governmental power
Itself from being misused by those who
would entrench themselves in the
realm Of political exploitation.
.. How to use governmental power
In reality to improve the lot of the
common man, and particularly the
low income groups.
Concretely, it means how to reconcile
controlled economy" or planned
economy" with the system Of private
initiative and how also to make prac-
tical and workable the social legisla-
tion already on the statue books and
social legislation yet to be passed.
Federal Power Stronger.
Certainly, the next six months in the
National Capital will witness q con-
centration of effort on the making of
governmental policies which we have
never witnessed before because gov
ernmental powers are today greater
than ever before. Likewise. the po-
htical power of the head Of the Gov
eminent is greater than it has ever
been In American history.
How then to make democracy effec-
tive? That's the task in q sentence,
and Mr.. Roosevelt will be able to count
on q sympathetic spirit from united
Nation II he should tackle the job with
the same non-partisan feeling that the
people e o whole Of all parties are
today exhibiting toward his admins
tration.
(Copyrfght 1g36)