The Kennewick courier-reporter and the White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1938-1939, 1938-09-15
ECONOMIC H1GHLIGHTS

ECONOMIC HIGHL1GHTS
Again European troubles have
dominated the headlines. Again the
Imminent possibility Of war has OBJ
scured all other news.
In the view of most Of the ex-
perts, the week ending September 3
was the most ominous since the
grim days of 1914 that preceded the
World War. AS usual, Hitler made
the biggest news Tens Of thousands
of German troops were moved into
the new Siegfried chain OF forth
fications, which faces the famous
French Maginot line-supposedly
the most impregnable border de-
tense ever erected. According to
the formal German press reports,
this simply marked ordinary man
euvers, and in no way indicated that
the Reich was planning military ac-
ton against anyone. But the fact
remains that it was done as pre-
lude to the Nazi party congress at
Nurnberg-and Hitler has often
called party congresses whenever
he planned a move OF exceptional
daring. And the fact also remains
that the German government-con-
trolled press has again been carry
ing on virulent campaign against
Chechoslovakia.
The Czechs are in an exceeding
ly bad position and every indica-
ton holds that their position will
get worse, rather than better. The
Czech government, headed by Ed
Guard Benes, often called "Europe's
greatest little stateman," has Of
fered significant. concessions to the
Sudeten German minority in the
country, headed by Konrad Hen
lein, whom almost every foreign
correspondent regards as a Hitler
tool. These concessions would give
the Sudeten Germans semi-auto-
nomous government of their own,
largely based on the Swiss Canton
principle; would reorganize their
school system, so that Nazi dogma
would be taught the Sudeten Czech
schools; would to great extend
withdraw the regular Czech police
from the Sudetan area, and would
give Sudetan Germans more gov
eminent jobs. It Is astonishing
that any government would offer so
much to minority which is de-
termined to effect its eventual over
throw. Yet it was not enough, In
the view Of Hitler. Henlein called on
the Ruhrer and was sent home with
. new series Of demands. The exact
terms Of these have not been pub
Hshed at this writing, but it Is be-
neved they entail further conces-
sions which would make a large part
Of Czechoslovakia virtually q vassal
state under German control.
In all this, Hitler unquestionably
has the edge both France and Eng
land are desperately eager to avoid
war, at almost any cost. On the 9TH
er side, however, the English gov
eminent has been showing some
what more aggressive attitude than
1t has In the past-partially, some
say, because it has been stung to
the quick by foreign criticism, much
OF 1t American in origin, and also
because there Is q growing British
movement to force the Chamberlain
government either to resign or toy
take firmer line. In addition,
Britain has made great progress in /,
developing her air defense system
In the last year or two, and is UNI
Questionably In much better shape
to risk q war than she was even q
comparatively short time ago.
However, Britain's desire to effect
some sort Of peace, however trans
ttory. Is still strong. It is this fact
which makes Hitler believe that an
aggressive attitude on Germany's
part will cause France and Brit
ain to bring sufficient pressure
against Czechoslovakia to force the
concession Of almost any demands
made by the Sudeten German Min
ority. And the fact that Hitler's
bluffs have succeeded so well in the
past naturally gives him courage
and confidence In the present crisis.
Russia, which holds the balance
OF power in Europe, is saying little.
She Is q Czech ally-and she poss-
esses a gigantic war machine which
Is probably superior In most
branches to Germany's. But she is
faced with many domestic problems
OF her own, and a major war would
make 1t necessary for Stain to fore
go many cherished plans for inter-
nal development. Germany seems
to figure that the bear will stay on
the sidelines-and some unpreiu-
diced authorities think GERMANY is
right.
In the meantime, France is mo-