The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1937-12-03
A THREAT TO DEMOCRACY

The history of the world will show,
we believe, that democratic institutions
are best for the peace development of ma
tons. The freedom and liberty which
accompany such forms of governments
are the requisites for individual develop
ment to its highest. efficiency.
While democratic forms of govern
ments encourage individual initiative and
Individual progress, these factors in them
selves tend to initiate against efficiency
on the part of the government. Thus, we
find that a democratic form of govern
ment is somewhat inefficient, bit costly
and slow to take action to effectuate its
policies. By contrast, the dietator-type of
government STILES individual initiative
ard freedom, but, on the other hand, GEN.
ters in the government the powers neces-
sary for resolute, prompt and effective ac-
ton.
The Citizen has no quarrel with the
people of any country when they prefer a
dictator type of government. Reeogniz-
ing the handicaps that democracy ims
pOSSS upon c1liCISHGy III SONSAhuICHI IL
self, there is no particular reason to be-
moan the existence of dictator-type gov
ernments in the countries that prefer
them. However, such governments direct
their energies and train their people for
the pursuit of war anG exert prenned itated5
pressure upon democratic peoples, taking
advantage of a peace-loving citizenry ard
the slow-moving government. It isgtinae
for all democratic peoples to realize that
a positive danger exists.
The present world situation finds
Germany, Italy and Japan organized on a
war basis, and dissatisfied with the old
status. The rulers of these countries con-
stantly exert pressure upon other nations
and, apparently, are ready to wage war if
necessary to attain their ends. So long as
this spirit dominates these nations, the
peace and safety of no democratic nation
is secure.
Aggressive dictators looks upon
weaker democracies as the legitimate prey
for their imperialistic appetites. The only
obstacle that they recognize is the ability
on the part of the other nation to protect
itself by force of arms. Thus, we fear,
that the increasing pressure of the aggres-
sor-dictators will compel the democratic
nations, in self-defense, to arm them
selves and, perhaps, organize their nations
upon a war basis.
The United States, for example, pre-
fers to develop along democratic lines and
to live at peace. If it must be organized
for war on a competitive basis with pos
sible attackers, it will be necessary for
this country to meet the war threat. This
will require the dislocation of the peace
time economy, the acceptance of war serv-
ice as an individual obligation and the
surrender of at least some of our in
dividual freedom. Unless the nation is
prepared to meet possible foes, it will GER
tainly invite attack. If, in the present
situation, it arms itself, then it has to
sacrifice some of the democratic traditions
and ideals Thus, we face the necessity of
altering our political and governmental
ideals because of the presence and poten-
tial power of the dictator-controlled ma
tons. ~
In the face of such a wonld situaaort.
it seems self-evident that the interests of
the democratic nations are identical 1t
also appears clear that if the democratic
processes are to be preserved. there must
be some unity of action on the part of the
democratic powers. No single nation will
be able to withstand the impact of the die
tator-controlled group and it will be ex-
tremely foolish for the democratic coun-
tries to stand alone in the face of the So
called anti-Communist bloc which in
cludes Germany. Italy and Japan.