Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1937-01-28
INTERNATIONAL
NEWS REVIEW
Continued from Page ~

result of the World war. If they
will be reasonable at this point, Hit
Ter most certainly will be ready to
talk business. If they won't, he won't.
That is almost certain.
Trial I'm Moscow.
Penetrating eyes will be able to per-
ceive back of the speeches of states
men and back of what has called them
forth, the spectre of an impending
clash between demOcracies and fascist
countries-in this particular case, the
fundamental difference between lib
eral nations like Great Britain and
France on one, nazist Germany on the
other side.
That same spectre has been invoked
in Moscow where II men few days
ago were accused of having formed
conspiracy for the purpose of over
throwing the Soviet government. re-
store capitalism in Russia. and aid
and abet fascist nations like Japan
and Germany. Hardly had the trial
begun when all the accused declared
themselves guilty-just as did the
group in August, 1886, when accused
under somewhat similar circum-
stances-and it is thought that the
sentence of death by shooting will
be melted out to them; may even
have been carried out when these
lines are being read For the wheels
of justice move with amazing swift
ness in Russia.
Although one might look with some
suspicion at the reports of the most
recent trials, it has to be conceded
that the details published in connec
ton with the alleged crimes do not
sound entirely incredible, for it is, of
course, known that Joseph Stain. the
actual ruler of Russia, has enemies
who want to get rid of him, If they
can. And again the name of Leon
Trotzky, now settled in Mexico, is
being implicated. With what plausi-
bility, outsiders are hardly in a posi-
ton to know definitely.
Japanese Unrest.
In far-off Japan the conflict be-
tween democratically inclined parties
and the fascist militarism of the army
clique has come to climax, for
few days ago severe criticism was
directed in parliament against the
KOki HirOta government because of
its unprecedented budget for the com
ing fiscal year-a budget that calls
for 80 per cent higher expenditures
than the largest known heretofore;
chief complaint had to do with the
cause of the tremendous budget,
namely the incessant demands from
the army for ever bigger and bigger
appropriations.
So, the Hirota government retired;
went to the emperor and offered it's
resignation which was accepted with
the understanding that the govern
ment continue functioning until a sue
cessor has been found.
Surprising enough-when one knows
something about the profound respect
for dynasty and government in Japan
there has been lively unrest for
some time. People were simply get
ting tired of the constant army de-
and it may be a significant sign of
the times that not only the members
of parliament but the press as we'll
uttered criticism the pOintedneSS Of
which has hardly ever before been
known in Japan. 1t may be now that
Kazushige Ugaki, thrice war minister
but not an out-and-out militarist, will
succeed in forming new cabinet; if
he does, he will still face the diff
Guilty that the army leaders have re-
served to themselves the right to re-
ject or approve the man he appoints
his minister of war.
What is of special interest here is
the fact that the chosen representa-
tives of the people for once dare OPP
pose the army fascists. To what ul
innate goal this sudden resistance
may lead, one cannot now know
Spanish War.
In Spain, fascism and democracy
are continuing their bloody test of
strength. The rebel siege of Madrid
continues, and it becomes increas-
lnSly uOuDtIul IndI 1t VIII succeed,
for the defense of the capital city
lately has shown itself in possession
of remarkable strength.
This weeks most interesting fact
in this particular connection is the
silence which prevails concerning
further arrivals of foreign volunteers.
That almost seems to indicate that
a tacit agreement has been arrived
at between the powers interested, and
it may we'll be that no more Russians
will be permitted to help the Spanish
government, no more Italians, Ger
mans and Portuguese the rebels. At
least, that seems a probable deduc-
ton to make from the silence sud
denly surrounding the matter of ad-
ditional foreign volunteers.
How long the civil war will con-
tinue if it has to dispense with out
side support-well, that, too. is one
of those questions which cannot be
answered today.