Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1938-08-07
By CONSTANTINE BROWN.
e. r AN armed conflict with the totali-
tartan states is inevitable-and 1t
is inevitable unless We yield to all

is inevitable unless we yield to all
4 the German and Italian plans-it
would be better to have 1t now than in
few years. Time works for Germany and
italy. The idea that it works in our favor
Is q fallacy which we military people
realize, but which the politicians and the
mass Of people do not" These words were
expressed by Gen. Marie Gamelin, Frances
chief of staff, in conversation with one
of the many responsible Americans who are
taking their political vacation in Europe.
The reports of the ambassadors and
military attaches no longer satisfy the
thirst OF President Roosevelt for informa-
ton. Every other week or so another I'M
oficial observer crosses the Atlantic for
his summer holiday. Some, like Bernard
M. Baruch, are intrusted with thorough
investigation of the armament problem.
They will, upon their return to the United
States. present the President with first
hand information obtained from the high
est available sources on the status Of mill
tary preparedness of the various European
countries they have visited. 1t is natural
that the information regarding Italy and
Germany will be scant. The totalitarian
states are not cooperative in that matter.
But the democratic countries, who need
Americas support for their rearmament
program, will open wide their most con-
fidential files.
Other men who have Mr.. Roosevelts ear
are intrusted with the investigation of the
actual state of affairs in Europe and with
the study Of how catastrophe could he
averted. They are armed with powerful
ambassadors and ministers abroad are in
structed to see that all doors are opened to
them. The results of these investigations
are being brought back to Washington
either by the observers personally, or if
the information justifies an immediate re-
port. it is mailed or even cabled to WASH
ington for the eyes of the President and
the Secretary of State.
Army Reports Realistic.
From one such report it appears clearly
that the French and the British army Lead
ers have come to the conclusion that time
works for Germany and Italy" Diplomats
and politicians still believe, however, that
the democratic states with so much money
and raw materials at their disposal, will
win the race if they keep racing hard
enough The conclusions of the military
men are based on facts and not on hopes.
The French general staff is more con-
WINGED than any other. except possibly the
Czechoslovak. that this theory is correct.
The British indorse it, but even their mill
tary men believe that I'VE shall muddle
through once more, somehow or other"
The French contention is based on a thor
ough survey Of the developments which
Austria
Germany, and to a smaller extent Italy,
have made superhuman efforts to organize
the supply of food and raw materials from
the Central and Southeastern European
countries The Goering plan, which was
described in detail in last weeks article,
will give Germany almost every kind of
raw material necessary for war. with the
exception Of cotton and rubber, before 1913
This will enable the Reich to carry on
blockade. the nightmare of all German
leaders until a few months ago, does not
scare them any more. And it will worry
them less as time goes by and the Goering
plan nears completion. 1t was the block
ade which lost the last war for Germany
and Hitler is now preparing everything to
prevent a repetition of the 19l4-l918
tragedy. The foundations for making Ger
many independent of the sea have been
carefully laid. They need just one more
the economic unit which is now directed
from Berlin.
Man Power Problem Alone to Remain.
Once Czechoslovakla is brought into the
sphere of influence Of Berlin to play second
fiddle to the Reich, the German general
staff will worry about nothing but man
power and efficient training. Synthetic
rubber and cotton can be used in addition
to the enormous stocks which are being
laid down at the present moment in the
Reich. The other raw materials are all
obtainable in reasonable quantities in the
Danubian Basin.
1t is for this reason that the French gen.
eral staff officers are wringing their hands
in despair when they examine Chamber
lain's policy 50 obediently followed by
Premier Daladier and Foreign Minister
Bonnet. They cannot understand how the
British Premier can be so blind as not to
see what Germany is driving at. They
cannot understand why he turns deaf
ear to the pleadngs Of the French military,
who say: Lets hit now because in three
years it will be much too late. Democracies
cannot endure an armament race with an
unchecked expenditure of billions as we'll
as the relationships can. Look at what the
Reich and Italy are preparing in Spain.
The establishment Of airdromes directed
against France and the construction Of
Notifications behind Gibraltar and in the
Spanish Morocco against Britain are a
matter of common knowledge. Don't these
actions mean anything?. Don't you realize
that your formidable and expensive navy
will no longer be able to starve Germany
and Italy into submission in the event CT