Evening star., 1938-09-18


Jews took root. Despite his violent dislike
Of social democracy, Hitler comedies that
from 1t he learned its value AZ "a technical
instrument"-for as he narrates In his
book, 1T knows how to make people believe
that 1t alone has the secret Of peace and
tranquility, while it cautiously but un-
hinchingly conquers one tradition after an
other, either by silent pressure or by down.
right robbery at moments when public at
tention Is directed to other matters" tactics.
der Fuehrer adds, which are calculated
absolutely on the sum of human weakness,
with q result that is mathematical GER
tainly unless the other side also learns how
to fight poison gas with poison gas"
Like another statesman nearer home,
Adolf Hitler owes his dizzy ascendancy to
omnipotence In Germany largely to his
oratorical powers and personal magnetism
X
EDUARD BENES falls heir naturally to
the herculean task Of preserving Czecho-
slovakian independence, for he Is one of its
creators. Protege and disciple Of Dr. Thomas
G. Masaryk, the Czech George Washington,
Benes, as a young professor Of sociology in
Prague University, associated himself ac-
lively in 1915 with allied plansffor the over
throw Of the central powers and. for ulti-
mate revival Of q sovereign Czechoslovak
state. AS Bohemian, Benes comes natural-
ly, too. to the role Of defender of his coun-
try against Nazi pretensions in the land of
his fathers. Czechoslovakia's first foreign
minister. from 1918 to 1885 and premier in
1922, Benes was Masaryks closest adju-
tant and loyal supporter When the vener-
able idol Of the young nation laid down the
burdens OF ONCE, because Of advancing
years, DR.. Benes became the logical legatee
to the presidency and to the nationalities
problems which have shadowed the repub-
lies existence since the map-makers of
Versailles ordained its stormy career bare
19 years ago.
The manner Of man and statesman
Eduard Benes is was reflected around the
civilized world on September 10, when he
broadcast his country's case in the Sudeten
crisis. Breathing conciliation In every word
and pleading for friendly cooperation with
all our neighbors, especially our greatest
neighbor, Germany" the President begged
his people to LAY aside all arms except
those Of the spirit and Of argument" He
besought the nation to "be calm, to remain
composed. to keep its nerve" Czechoslo-
vakia, Benes declared, desires to prove to
Europe and America, especially to Great
Britain and France, that she is conscious
Of her duty" and, bulwarked by "a bril-
liant army and an indomitable resolve,
will protect the integrity. the unity and the
safety Of the state" The best and clearest
tribute this observer ever heard paid to
Eduard Benes came from former Ameri-
can Minister to Czechoslovakia. "Benes. !"
he said. "is unique combination Of quick
footedness and sure-footedness He may
be depended upon to be at least one jump
ahead of his antagonists" smallish Of
stature. though OF rugged physique exuding
courage and determination at every pore,
the man who Is row carrying on at Prague
in the Masarky spirit against tremendous
odds, both internal and external, including
the apparent Independently of supposed
friends. incarnates the bulldog mood in
which czechoslovakia is facing its cavalry
WASHINGTON has personal acquaint-
ance with but one Of the predominant
figures in the European crisis-Georges
Bonnet, Foreign Minister Of France, the re-
public's Ambassador to the United States
for four months last year. Native Partisan,
still in the late SOS, NJ Bonnet started out
in life to be teacher Of philosophy. The
World War changed his mind Entering
the French Army as a non-commissioned
officer and rising to the rank of captain of
artillery before the armistice, he became d.
rector Of rehabilitation in the ministry of
war Immediately after the conflicts end.
Bonnet's ingrained literary trend mani
tested itself even in the midst of war:
while still at the front. he wrote a book
entitled "The Soul Of Soldier" But post
war problems turned his energies to poll
tics and public affairs. especially in the
fiscal realm His volumes on British
Monetary Policy After the War" and Con-
temporary Monetary Experiences" symbo-
lized the new trend of his thought. Bonnet
identified himself with the Radical Socialist
party, which has given modern France 80
many OF its government leaders like
Chautemps Daladier and host Of other
premiers and ministers Elected to the
Chamber Of Deputies in 1924, he has been
in Parliament continuously ever since.
Bonnets present post at the Quai d'Orsay
finds him serving for the eleventh time as a
cabinet officer since he was made minister
of the budget in the Painleve ministry in
1925 He has been minister of finance four
time, twice minister of commerce and at
different periods minister of pensions, of
posts. telephones and telegraphs and of
public works. Bonnet first attracted the
serious attention of French power -wielders
by obtaining adoption of the old franc as
the international unit for postal transac-
tions. In February, 1887, he was ap-
M