The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1938-02-23
BLUFFING OF INSANE DICTAToRS


The press of the country is certainly
making an honest effort to keep the Amerl-
can public informed as to the march OF
events in Europe; but so much is printed
that only befogS and beclouds the average
mans understanding of the foreign sltua-
ton that it some times seems explanatory
charts should accompany much of the read
ing matter on European conditions. With
this thought, however, arises the question
as to who is competent to compile the ex-
plantations.
The Times-News, assuredly, would never
try to act as interpreter of European affairs
for its readers while we have access to the
opinions and writings of so many persons
of vast information and competency to
make use of it for the public eniighten-
ment. Nevertheless, there are certain ba-
sic facts in connection with the course Of
events in Europe which will aid in under
standing conditions there if they are kept
in view in studying those conditions.
One fact which always must be reckoned
with is that three insane dictators control
three of the four leading nations of CONT
mental Europe. Two are allied in opposi-
ton to the third. Always dictators are
mentally unbalanced. There never was a
dictator in the history of the world who
was normal, sane and conservative. The
three who are operating in Europe meas
ure up to dictatoriai requirements in all
particulars; and none who went before
III lkL -,
their rule or in dealing with all who OPP
posed them.
No matter, however, the extent or vio-
lenSe of the mental unbalance of dictators,
they always, possess measure of keen
conception and grasp of conditions which
equip them as dangerous foes of sane
rulers in nations where normal conditions
prevail. DiCtators having the absolute
power of life and death over every inhabi-
tant of the countries they dominate, are
prepared to act quickly and decisively in
every case.
Mussolini in Italy, Hitler in Germany
and Stain in Russia can compel action on
the part of their nations and people-in-
slant action, regardless of the views of in
divbduals or majority of the people. This
fact places dictators in position to effec-
lively use what is known as bluff game"
in their foreign relations.
This newspaper believes that for some
time past Hitler and Mussolini have been
working at top speed the old familiar game
we call here in the United States-BLUFF.
Of course they can compel their people
to go to war at any time with any other
nation; but, crazy as they are, they still
possess enough cunning to weigh the posi-
bilities and count the cost of armed conflict
with England, France and Russia. And
they have been cunning enough to pursue
a course which has developed exactly the
information they were seeking, which is
that the countries opposing them do not
want to fght-in fact, do not have the
moral courage to oppose their aggressions
by force. g..
If England, France and Russia served
notice on Hitler and Mussolini that then
course means war at once, the dietators
would stop in their tracks. Neither Hitler
nor: Mussolini could involve their countries
in this war with any expectation whatever
of winning. 1t would destroy their power
and their countries. Crazy as they are the
dictators very we'll understand these facts
They have found they can bluff their enc
mics and they are playing the bluff game
for all it is worth, ~
Under existing conditions, and the out