Evening star., 1939-11-26

an average equivalent Of 81 900 900 900 a
year on reconstruction of its land, air and
sea forces. This is most conservative
estimate. Hence, in a period of six years
Germany has run a bill for military
preparations Of at least half the national
debt of the United States In this figure
the expenditure on public works, strategic
roads, the four-year plan and many
other things is not included The national
income of the Reich is also unknown, but
taking the pre-Hitler era of Germany
into consideration and increasing four
fold, due to increased commercial activi-
ties Of the industrialists of the Reich,
empire could not be set at more than
$4,000, 900 900 for 1888.
Italy is equally a closed book regarding
the question of income and indebtedness.
nut she is not in better position than
the Reich except for the fact that she Is
not involved in a war at the present
moment. consequently she wastes less
money and is able to pick up some pro-
ductive business at the expense of the
allies and her axis associate.
Switzerland Arming.
Switzerland, peace-loving country, is
compelled to spend about s1,00ooOo a
day for military preparations. The gov
ernment gave the army authorities in
the middle of October drawing account
Of s40,000000. According to reports from
Berne this money is almost exhausted
and new funds will be necessary before
the end of this month.
The sure thing applies to the other
neutrals in Europe. They are all faced
with financial and economic ruin because
the big powers have decided on a sit
down war
Great Britain recently provided a
special war budget to meet the present
wartime expenditure. 1t amounts to
S25,0oo 900 day. 1t is hoped that this
figure will be sufficient, but that is
doubtful. This appropriation will meet
the present expenditure, but what will
happen if fighting becomes unrestricted
If dozens if not hundreds of airplanes-
paid for in gold in the United States
are destroyed and ammunition is expended
lavishly, nobody can foretell. It NAV
mean increasing the allowance four or
five fold.
AS an illustration of what such eX-
penditures may become, ii is pointed out
that when three Coast Guard cutters.
two deStroyers and several airplanes went
300 miles out to sea to meet the Iroquois,
Uncle Sam spent close to $1,000 The
British Navy is patrolling the seas day
and night. The fuel bill for this enter
prise is reported to exceed S4,00O,000 a
day
AT the present moment, when there
are only few occasional skirmishes on
the western front. the amount spent
daily by the allies Including the allow
ance made to the Polish government in
Franco is close to $4,000 900. If the
cost to Germany, Russia and the neutrals
is added. it is estimated by Washington
financial experts that the cost of blood
less war amounts to s85.00oo0o a day.
Productivity Suspended.
Productive activity is practically sus-
pended in most European countries The
entire national economy of the belliger-
ent and neutral states is chiefly directed
towards war. Switzerland, for instance.
reports that her foreign trade has
dropped since September by Al per cent.
Britain is trying to do business as usual.
Her statesmen come to the United States
and assure their clients that their orders
would be filled as in the past. Yet Brit
aims exports have become less than half
of what they were this past summer,
Whether the belligerents fight or sit
tight is fmmaterial. Ruination seems to
be awaiting them all. This colossal in
debtedness will have to be met some day
In what manner, nobody dares think
But there are only three ways: Cancel
lation, super taxation or imitation. ANY
OF the three methods is bound to create
an unparalleled disturbance among the
taxpayers of the countries involved.
Hence the fear of collectivism in Europe
another form of governmental Com
munism.
| The high priests who conduct our
international affairs realize this IRENE
diable situation in Europe They also
realize what the United States would
have to spend, in the event that the
Nation is dragged into an overseas war.
1t is conservatively estimated that an
| other war would cost the United States
about s80ooo,o 900 .O00-if expenses were
carefully watched and profits drastically
restricted-of course. without including
incalculable billions in pensions, At the
present time this country is financially
in better shape than any other in the
world. The national debt is under $4s,-
0oo,oo0,o00, while the yearly national In
come is over s64 900 900, 900, with posi-
bility OF rising again to 100000 900 900.
The wise men in Washington point
out that if we were to permit ourselves
| the luxury Of participating In another
foreign war. the whole structure-eco-
nomic, financial and social-would be
menaced precisely as 1t is menaced today
IN every European nation. Hence the
motto pipe down" among those who