Evening star., 1938-01-04
ROOSEVELT '|SMS'
SLAP HELD TIMELY
Prediction Certain Foreign
Governments Will Not Last
Regarded Precedent.
By DEWITT MACKENZIE.

BY DEWITT MACKENZIE.
Associated Press Foreign Affairs Writer
NEW YORK, Jan. 4.-President
Roosevelt's reference to non-den-
ocratic nations which have violated
treaties, and his striking prediction
that representative form Of govern
ment will return to, or be established
in. those countries now lacking it,
comes at a moment when the total
itarian "isms" are making a heavy
assault on democracy.
Indeed, even as Mr.. Roosevelt was
giving his message to Congress,
Fascist Italy was commemorating the
thirteenth birthday OF the country as
. totalitarian state with nation wide
demonstrations of satisfaction at dis
persion Of so-called great democracies
lodged In the fortress at Geneva. which
Is crumbling before a formidable array
Of young peoples, the bearers of q
new civilization"
Distinct Points.
The President didn't name any ma
ton. but his language was 50 very
SACul CAAdU 1lS ulAll lldVC w OIucl
TO pin the thing down where he
wanted it. He made two distinct
points:
l. Disregard for treaty obligations
seems to have followed the surface
trend away from the democratic rep
resentative form of government. 1t
would seem. therefore, that world
peace through international agree
ments. is most safe in the hands
OF democratic representative govern
ments-or, in other words, peace is
most greatly jeopardized in and by
those nations where democracy has
been discarded or has never devel-
oped.
z. Il have used the words surface
trend for still believe that civilized
man increasingly insists and in the
long run will insist on genuine par
ticipation in his own government. Our
people believe that over the years de-
mocracies OF the world will survive,
and democracy will be restored or es-
tablished in those nations which to-
day know it not. In that faith lies
the future peace of mankind
Prediction Held Unprecedented.
The moderation of the Presidents S
language almost conceals the momen-
tous fact that he is making predic-
tion almost unprecedented for chief
Of state-the forecast that the govern
ments Of certain foreign nations can
not last.
The words those nations where de-
mocracy has been discarded or has
never developed" speak for themselves
The leading nations which have dis
carded democracy are Italy and Ger
many, although many smaller countries
have followed suit Democracy has
never developed" in Japan, which also
Is under absolutism. 1t is not quite so
easy to place Russia. which theoretic-
ally is headed for rule by the prole-
tariat but actually is under dictator
ship.
Here are some of the things which
have happened to democracy under
the "isms":
The rights of the individual-rich or
poor-have been wholly subordinated
to the good Of the state, which means
the will Of the dictator.
The franchise virtually has disap-
peared, excepting the right to vote for
hand-picked candidates, or to indorse
actions of a dictator.
All political parties are abolished ex-
cepting the one-Fascist, Nazi or Com
munist
In Germany and Russia religious
freedom has been suppressed. In Ger
many many Protestant and Catholic
clergymen have been imprisoned, and
there Is large movement to give
Adolf Hitler religious significance.
In Russia there is no God at all for
the average Communist.
Opposition Met by Force.
Opposition is stifled by force. In
Russia there is a constant blood
purge" and Hitler had his terrible
house-cleaning, when scores were
killed
Citizens are afraid to mention politi-
cal matters in public, for government
spies lurk everywhere.
The government tells you what books
and periodicals you may read, what
music you may hear and what plays
may be seen.
In some countries there is class or
race persecution. In Germany it is
directed against the Jews. In Russia
the rich farmers get it.
Big families are urged, and the pub
lie schools grind into the children.
even little ones, militarism and the
principles of the particular ism" in
volved.
As regards the violation of treaties
these charges have been made in
Geneva:
Ihat Japan by her conquests in
CHINA has violated the Nine-Power
Treaty. promising to respect the in.
tegrity OF China, and the KELLOGG
BRAND Peace Pact. Japan also was
accused Of violating the League of
nations covenant when she invaded
Manchuria.
That Germany threw overheard
virtually the entire Treaty of YER
sailles. " 'e
That 1aly violated the KELLOGG.
srland pact and the covenant Of The
League in waging war on Ethiopia