Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1939-08-31
Opinions OF Others

~ VI ~ VIVA -
(Short timely letters on topics of
not tSe afe eoe
form 't with ms those Ss Of the AMERICAN cam
All letters must be signed with the
Signed articles i always Ssr are %ore en-
fective, but If the writer does not
wish to have his name used. it will
be withheld).
THE SIGN OF THE UMBRELLA
Editor Askov American:
Whether we may be opposed to the
system of Russia or Germany or both
it is rather hard to see how war
between the two countries could in
any way be construed as peace pro-
noting development.
When Chamberlain and Daladier
howl against the non-aggression pact
between Russia and Germany, it can
only mean that they wanted war,
and this is further proven when we
now hear that Won Ribbentrop carried
with him to Russia certain docu-
ments and electric dictaphone rec
ords" proving beyond a doubt that
Chamberlain was trying above all to
promote war between Russia and
Germany-while officially negotiat-
| ing mutual assistance pact between
Russia, England and France-a
''bombshell" describes correctly the
effect it had on the gentlemen now
intrusted with the fate and welfare
| of tho ,ln0Y>1n Of ErnIanI
when their pet scheme (war between
Russia and Germany backfred on
them; nor can one fail to see the
reason for the disgust of the Russian
statesmen at the disclosure of such
gutter diplomacy"
The effect of the pact on other
nations is a study in itself! Poland
says it never wanted military help
from Russia! China seems very
pleased! United States position in
the Orient is strengthened! On the
other hand, Japan is disguised and
Italy seems to be wondering what
became of the anti-comintern pact
ct has been fighting comintern hot
beds in the deserts of Ethiopia). Eng
land and France, as far as their states
men are concerned at least, howl in
dismay. Here you have the different
effects-study them closely.
On the question of whether we will
now have a world war as result
of the non-aggression pact between
Russia and Germany? Hitler has
already used up all his bluffing power,
but Poland stands pat, and refuses
to submit to the same fate as Czecho-
sloVakia, but intensified pressure is
applied against it by England and
France, notwithstanding the great
show of bluff against Hitler, and it
remains to be seen whether Poland
can Withstand the pressure; if it
can, then it becomes Hitler's turn to
back down, and there are indications
in the latest news from Europe that
he is doing this, but the whole pro-
cedure indicates another Munich. The
key to the whole complicated situa-
ton is found in the fact that the
Chamberlain type of gentlemen find
themselves in a position of support
ing Hitler just enough so that his re-
gime doesn't blow up-or else there
will be Communism from Vladivos-
tok to the Belgian border. That
accounts for the acrobatics of Cham
berlain!
Russia's position under such con-
dltionS is at best difficult one. It
has proof of the English and French
diplomats double dealing and pres
sure to turn Hitler to the east
toward it! 1t is surrounded by hostile
capitalist nations ready to destroy it,
and it has therefore only its own mil
itary strength to rely upon. If you
have the opportunity to read Stalin's
report to the 18th congress of the
c. P. S. u, March 10, 1899, you will
readily see that the conclusion of
non-aggression pacts with all coun-
tries is the aim and policy of the
Soviet Union, but it does not follow
that this peace policy pleases the war
mongers and munition makers of the
world, nor their numerous mouth
pieces, the capitalist press, which
stands forever ready to smear any
move by the Soviet Union, and it
must be sad for them that they can
not influence those moves to their
liking.
And now folks, get ready to see
someone, Chamberlain, Mussolini or
some other statesman, pull another
Munich rabbit out of hat. Should
this performance fail and Hitler
marches-well, then we are in for a
re-division of the world, to put it in
nice way.
LARS P. JENSEN.
Askov, MINI.