Evening star., 1936-12-20

OF the Left have been in office. But
the Scandinavians are relatively pros
porous; there is no Jewish problem,
and several of the conditions neces-
sary for the growth of fascism were
absent. But what suppressed and for
all practical purposes killed the Fas-
cist movement in Scandinavia was the
prohibition of the wearing of uniforms
by unauthorized bodies.
In Schleswig- -Holstein many NOM
inally Danish citizens are OF German
descent or sympathy. Many of these
are Nazis and have received much
support from Germany. The same
conditions prevail in Czechoslovakia,
among the German-speaking COM
munities. But both of these move
ments are foreign. and not native,
and this very fact strengthens the
anti-Fascist forces.
In Switzerland the large German
speaking population has not been
much affected because that country
is determined to maintain its COM
plete independence. Democratic ideas
are ingrained in its people, and there
is a large property-owning peasant
population which acts as a very ef-
fective bulwark.
The situation in France is different.
Up till the recent devaluation Of the
franc and sterilization of the Amer
lean, French and British currencies
in interrelation to each other. there
was acute economic distress. There
were serious governmental scandals
and even more serious financial scan
das.
I have talked to many young French
men of good type who firmly believe
that all, or nearly all, their politicians
are corrupt.
Bitter Class Struggle.
This is doubtless an exaggeration,
but that there is corruption among
the bureaucracy and the politicians OF
France is admitted. There is bitter
class struggle. The weslthier sections
Of the population object to heavy
direct taxation and have a horror OF
any measure of socialism, or near
socialism. Indeed, some of the great
financiers and captains Of industry
in France make no secret OF their
intention of appealing to Hitler and
Man Germany for protection If So
cialist measures are introduced.
There is an old-established Royalist
movement which hates the republic
and all its works. There is also q
strong and active Communist move
ment. The result was seen last year
in the growth Of a number Of political
leagues, the most powerful of which
was the Croix de Feu, appealing par
ticularly to veterans of the war. There
also is a peasant movement which
shows Fascist symptoms.
In 1885, during the League crisis
over the Italo-Abyssinian War and the
application of sanctions. many Of the
papers Of the Right in France were
openly espousing the italian cause
and, 1t is generally understood, were
receiving heavy Italian subsidies. Dur.
ing the crisis over the Spanish civil
war, the political parties of the Right
including the various political leagues
openly espoused the cause of the
rebels and threatened direct action
and even civil war If any munitions
were sold by the French government
to the recognized and legal govern.
ment Of Spain. A Fascist victory ir
Spain would greatly strengthen thest
elements in France.
On the other hand, Premier Blumt
Center government has shown itsell
efHcient and courageous. There has
been q reaction Of PUBLIC opinion fol.
lowing the campaign 'of calumny
against the late minister Of the in.
terror, M. Salengro, which drove hin
to suicide.
Workers Well Organized.
The working classes in France are
strongly organized. The saying that
the French workman will always be
prepared to lose o days pay for the
preservation of the republic is still
true. When it comes to street demon
strat tons and rioting, the adhcrents oi
the parties of the Left-Lberal-
Radicals, Socialists and Communist
can give as good or better than
they receive. The army and police are
well disciplined. they obey the order:
Of the executive and have, 90 far
always done their duty. There are
plenty Of young ofieers with Fascist
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