Evening star., 1938-01-23
Alternative Policies to Meet
Dictators Are Weighed byU.S.
Isolation or Active Pressure on Side of Democra.
cies Against Totalitarianism Is Issue Before
American Leaders and PEOPLE.
BY CONSTANTINE BROWN,

AIllCI lCdll Acd(
BY CONSTANTINE BROWN.
"HERE are more knitted brows among
Washington's high officials these
days than during the momentous
days Of March, 1888.
Democracy is on trial for its life, and
nothing but swift, determined action can
save 1t, 50 the President and some Of his
advisers believe.
The totalitarian state idea has its origin
In the treaty of Versailles, which divided
the world into two groups-the "haves"
and the have nots." The overconfident
"haves" lacked the foresight to realize
that unless the 15o,ooo,ooO have nots"
were given some relief they would fight
Germany and Italy began to arm, until
now they are in possession of powerful
armies air forces and navies. These were
built primarily to enable the dictators to
obtain through bullying the territorial ex-
pansion needed for the welfare of their
peoples Until 18 months ago neither
Hitler nor Mussolini planned totalitarian
bloc to deal death blow to the demo-
cratic states. The relations between Italy
and Japan were strained in 1885, At the
outbreak OF the 1talo- Ethiopian conflict q
severance Of diplomatic relations between
the two countries was bruited. Nor were
during this period.
But the weakness displayed by the
democracies whenever totalitarian state
uncorked another coup swelled the prestige
and followers OF the relationships First,
among the minor have nots," later among
the very allies Of the French and the
British. The result has been a new axis
extending from the Baltic over the Med
iterranean to the Pacinc-the Berlin
Rome Toxic axis.
Isle in Sea Of Totalitarianism.
If We look at the map Of the world to-
day We see that the whole region east Of
the Rhine to the borders OF the Soviet Re-
publics is one bloc either allied to or
under the direct influence of Rome and
Berlin. The one islet in that totalitarian
sea is Czechoslovakia, but how long that
republic will be able to breast the tide
nobody knows.
In Asia the Japanese proceed with the
conquest Of China; they are fighting COM
munism," and under that banner they
have thus far occupied the whole eastern
Chinese territory from the Siberian border
to the Yangtze River Within the next
few weeks We shall witness the occupation
Of Southern China including Canton, the
most important city in that region
In Latin America there are only six
states which retain a democratic form
of government: Argentina, Chile, Vene-
zuela. Costa Rica. Colombia, and, to q
certain extent, Mexico. The large German
and italian population in some of these
republics makes 1t increasingly difficult
for their leaders to maintain the fight for
democracy. Brazil, although q totalitarian
state. has at its head Getulio Vargas,
who remains in sympathy with the United
States. But this attitude Is only tenn
porary and subject to revision under the
active pressure Of the European dictator
ships represented in that country by large
and well-organized colonies of their former
nationals.
Since the Scandinavian states and Swift
zerland cannot be expected to do more
than preserve their own political ideals.
the standard Of democracy is carried by
the United States, Great Britain and
France. These countries still represent an
overwhelming force. But that force has
not been used aggressively because the
people Of these conmonwealths are opposed
to drastic measures to insure tho con-
tinuance Of their ideals.
French Politics Rampant.
France Is in continual trouble. Party
politics. which almost destroyed Italy and
were the primary cause Of Mussolini's
success, are rampant in France. Cabinets
change with confusing rapidity. Compro-
misses are being made by the leaders with
an eye on personal advancement. Strikes
are breaking out at frequent intervals and
are, in many cases, caused by politics rather
than labor's efforts to secure better living
conditions. As this article is written the
Chautemps cabinet has fallen because it
wished to break away from its Moscow
inspired supporters. AS long as Russia
appeared to be q potential military force
the French governments were willing to
overlook the activities Of the Third Inter-
rationale. It was argued further that
the Soviets were gradually changing toward
. democratic parliamentarian form Of gov
eminent.
But the last purges Of Stain and the
mass executions Of the ablest leaders Of
the Soviet military, naval and air forces
and Of the diplomats who laid the founda-
tions Of Russia's new foreign policy have
alienated the Sovet's best friends in Paris.
And the Chautemps- Bonnet government,
which since last July had relied on the
Communist and Socialist Left Wing vote,
was unequal to its crushing tasks. The
struggle between the Communists and
their allies and the nationalistic groups,
which had subsided since Leon Blum's gov
ernment took office in May. 1896, is likely
to become fierce again. And Frances allies
in Europe are struggling their shoulders,
saying: How can they expect us not to
60 over, bag and baggage, to the totali-
tartan camp? There at least We find
security, discipline and order"
Some Of the French leaders feel that
the national existence Of France is threat
ened. There IS increasing unrest in North
Africa and in French possessions in the
Far East. But France has not yet had
time to find herself, She now is willing to