The Daily Alaska empire., 1936-08-24
Portfolio Labels

(New York Times)
 i In the clash and confusion of events in Europe, we see again how impossible it is neatly to define and classify political movements that diverse and puzzling. It is convenient to affix to each one as if that explained everything. But here too names not things. It is common for instance, to speak Of the rebellion in Spain one which, if triumphant is certain to issue in Fascist Govern ment This too nasty generalization prophecy. There is substantial evidence that truly Fascist regime like that in Italy or even in Germany, could ever be set up in Spain
 So far as the leaders among Spanish rebels have indicated their aim it is to restore law and order In their mouths Chis would probably mean ruling Spain by military ogarchy That country has long known what such government implies From the days of General Prm down to the late Primo de Rivera, the Spanish people have had experience of what military government signifies. It does imply the overriding suppression of many of the insti- tutons of self government but rule it interfereS very little with the ongoings of business and private life It has gone to the point of dividing the people up into fixed classes and ordering each one exactly what to do Good authorities have maintained
 that the Spanish peasants in particular are the stout est ndvidualists in all Europe They want the land it is true and willing to have any government divide up the great estates. But 1t IS impossible to think of them as willing to submit to any extreme regimentation. In previous periods virtual rule by the army in Spain has not been able to extingush Liberal sentiments and has given opportunities, as did the last Spanish Dictator to form public opinion | over the military, which in time proved too strong to be resisted But general in supreme command of the nation, depending upon the army, is far from being thoroughbred Fascist
 It is of course, short and easy method to clap political epthet designation upon a government and consider it all settled. But labels have way of wearing thin and losing their meaning. Marxism and Fascism insensibly change from year to year. They multitude of differences if not of sins. We gliby say that nation has gone Communist But what is communism? It is great variety of things may today in Russia, and is susceptible of indefinite changes and developments Still ambiguous is the Socialist. It is a perfect example of portfolio word, packed with diff ferng and even contradictory ideas. When Sir Will liam Harcourt Chancellor of the Exchequer, stood up in the House of Commons and said, We all Socialists now" what did he mean? Not that the Liberal party in England had gone to the nation alization of all industry and banks and railroads and shipping but only that the higher death duties which he was advocating were now accepted generally as proper
 That Americans also need to be their guard against the use of loose political termnology is evil dent This is doubly conspicuous in such Presden- ! tial campaign as now passing through. Epi- thets and labels fly thick and fast This candidate is dangerous radical Another is the worst kind of reactionary But in all such matters it is necessary to look below the surface and find what is the actual fact under misleading name. If this is done, it will appear that most party labels merely like pigeonhoes ready to hand in which to stuff great deal of matter not easy to analyze.