Evening star., 1936-08-08

eventual struggle WIN DOtn Germany
and Japan. But can the Russian gov
ernment restrain the sympathies Of
the Russian masses, who have been
taught for nearly generation that o
world struggle between communism
and capitalism is inevitable? Have
not Russian children been officially
brought up to save their kopeks and
contribute to the relief Of fellow Com
muniSts, suffering all over the world?
Is not communism q world theory,
movement embracing the workers Of
the entire earth?
The dilemma Of the French govern
ment is quite as serious. Can q gov
ernment which came into power as a
challenge to fa3cism remain really
neutral If another Fascist state
threatens her on the south? What
Is neutrality? Can one prohibit the
shipment of arms, and permit the
shipment OF men? Can one profess
neutrality with a press which contin-
ually and bitterly takes sides?
The issue: Communism, socialism or
democracy versus fascism is not ex-
clusively a Spanish domestic issue.
no matter how much neutrality is
preached. It Is an issue everywhere
in Europe today. 1t may be an issue
here tomorrow. Therein lies the ter
rife danger to peace.
Olympics Foster Feeling.
Even the Olympic games cannot be
played in Berlin without the political
issue looming. The German press does
not concede- American victories in the
stadium, because they are partly vic
tories Of American Negroes. Hitler
avoids congratulating the colored
winners. Does any one think that our
Olympic team will come back from
Germany with neutral feelings? No
matter what they say to the ship re-
porters. they will come back, predict.
sharply divided, into those who are
enthusiasts for Nazi Germany, i'm
pressed by the marvellous organization
OF that country, and those who are
filled with outraged feeling against the
introduction of race questions into
democratic sportsmanship. Repercus-
sions from the Olympics will vibrate
long after the games are over.
Only in the Fascist countries are
the people and the government policy
at one. At one, that is to say, for all
national purposes. II Hitler and Mus
solini believe that it is desirable to
force the issue now, or to allow the
issue to force itself, they can do so.
Inside the logic of fascism, one can
argue either way. Mussolini or Hitler
can say that their governments are
purely national; that what other
countries do is absolutely no concern
OF theirs, or they can say that com.
munism threatens to destroy the
white race, and thus rally their peoples
to crusade. Or they can simply de-
eide that for lmperialistic purpose3
now is the time to strike.
Choice Faces Democracy.
MussoliniS interest in Spain is pure
ly an Italian interest. 1t is possible
that collaboration with successful
Spanish rebels would win him new
footing in Africa. That would be his
price. And that would certainly not
be matter of indifference to Great
Britain. But communism in Spain
would also not be something which
British conservatives would welcome
with enthusiasm.
Democracy is being forced to choose
between alternatives almost equally
repugnant to the overwhelming num-
Der of people in the few democratic
countries which are left. And no.
where is democracy itself taking the
lead; nowhere is democracy itself
offering a constructive program. 1t
stands neutral in the midst of a world
in which neutrality is rapidly csasing
to be anything more than a word.
(Copyright, I936)