The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1939-1949, 1939-03-23
ECONOMIC IIIGHLIGHTS

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ECONOMIC H1GHLIGHTS
England "appeased" Germany a.
Munich, by changing the map o.
Europe and giving the Reich almos,
free rein in Czechoslovakia. Today
in the opinion of many foreign ex-
perts, England has started on 8
new policy of "appeasement" with
Soviet Russia policy which Is
designed to make it possible for the
British lion to show a much stiff
fer backbone, if and when Hitler
and Mussolini make their next &C.
mands. And, most important OF
all, the quiet course of world events
in the LAST few months and appar-
emily substantially diminished the
chance of a major war occurring
this year.
March 9Th was a dreaded day to
European observers. For on that
day, according to well supported
rumors and unofficial reports, the
dictators would force the issue. Hit
Ter would make another of his ring
ing demands for more territory,
either in Europe or the British COL
onies, Mussolini would tell France
In unmistakable terms that she
must accede to his demands for
sovereignty over Tunisia and Corsica
-or else. Britain and France would
refuse-and war would automatic
ally begin.
March 9Th came and went and
nothing happened. As Time puts it,
mo ultimatums were delivered, no
troops marched Except in Spain),
and the dictators even temporarily
ceased barking for more land. No
week in months has been so gener-
ally peaceful in Europe"
Most authorities ascribe this
change to a number Of diverse
things. The European democracies
have been rearming at a rapid
rate, and, from the defense stand
point, are in materially better
position than they were last year.
French ard British public opinion
seems to favor resisting to the ut
most giving any further "conces-
sions" to Italy and Germany. The
attitude of the United States, as
signified by the speeches Of the
President and the Secretary of |
State, are said to have encouraged
France and England and given the
dictators something to think about.
In some high quarters it is believed
that Hitler and Mussolini have
done a great deal Of bluffing, and
are In no position to fight major
war-and know it privately. And
apparently responsible reports say
that the temper Of the people of
Germany and Italy is so strongly
opposed to war that the dictators
would risk the chance of domestic
uprisings and perhaps revolution if
they started one.
England-which still holds the
of power abroad, in spite Of ,
losses in prestige-has apparently
come to the view that, much as she
dislikes Soviet Russia, Stain is a
friend worth having. It is highly
significant that British trade ,
recently left London on !.
a tour of Northern Europe, and that
It spent almost a week in Moscow ,
as against single day in Berlin. !,
Commerce makes allies Russia
is unquestionably the most potent ,
ally that France and Britain could !.
have in Europe. Russian distrust Of
British motives and actions IS said
to have made her very distant when
she was approached by the de-
mocracies before Munich as to what
she would do in the event Of hos
tdues. And rllmor that Stain is
considering an alliance with I
Nad Germany If England would
not make better bid, is said to
have sent chills up the spines of
the worried British cabinet.
Upshot Of all this: A better NOR
ale in the democracies than has
been seen for q long time, and q
very definite moderation Of the
talk Of the dictators.
Our interest in anything that
makes for peace or war in Europe is
obvious. Even II we stayed out Of
the conflict-and many authors
ties think we could not-a major
war would disrupt trade and world
finance, and bring dire repercus-
sions here as well as abroad. It is
. well known fact that the posi-
biltty OF war has been one Of the
factors that has held us back eco
nomically. If, as seems true now.
The chance Of long peace in Eur
ope has been bettered, the out
look for recovery" here as home
has been immensely improved.
%~ II