Evening star., 1939-06-22
Urges Positive Aid
For Aggression Victims.

To the Editor Of The Star:
The NazlS are busy attempting to per-
suade the credulous that belated efforts
to build peace front in Europe are de-
signed to "encircle" Germany. Propa-
ganda to this effect is to be examined in
the light OF actual happenings. A rele-
want question is: Which nations have
been engaging in aggression?
1t is we'll known that in Europe the
Nazis are the chief culprits, aided and
abetted by their junior partner, the
Italian government. Qn addition, there
are the "Munichers" in England and
France who, Intentionally or otherwise,
act in a manner to encourage further
Fascist depredations. Correctly under
stood, therefore, 1t is not policy Of at
tempting to "encircle" Germany when
steps are taken to ward OF or counter
contemplated acts of aggression-acts
which, at long last every one realizes
the Nazis are planning.
The real purpose of those who are de-
termined, through concerted co-opera-
ton Of the democracies, to salvage as
much peace as possible is to stop the
Nazi dictatorship from perpetrating fur
ther assaults against weak nations; for
otherwise the democracies in self-de-
tense will be drawn into war on a vast
scale. Against the unfounded claim
that Germany is now threatened with
"encirclement," we should consider the
real threat: the announced scheme OF
the Rome Berlin Toxic axis to destroy
democratic institutions throughout the
world, accomplishing this by military
might If necessary.
One Of the arresting features of the
present dark picture in Europe is this.
While the Nazis are raising the baseless
outcry Of "encirclement," they and their
allies have almost completely encircled
one of the main pillars Of democracy,
France.
Examine the map. The position of
Germany, Italy and Spain (the last
named now satellite of the axis
amounts to the virtual encirclement of
France. An irony of the present situa-
ton is that Nazi propaganda, psyche
logically more clever than is often
lcdl1LCd, 4l6o pdA CAdA4y OlNCIUC dtCCIlClOlA
from this danger confronting France.
And the feat is achieved through the
simple device of loud and repeated COM
plants that the "Jewish-ruled democ-
racies are plotting to encircle and
destroy Germany"
For us on this side of the Atlantic
there are various meanings in this
outcry of "encirclement." not forgetting
that Nazi activity is rampant in this
country. But the fact of most obvious
significance is that France is in acute
danger. And France is chief bulwark
Of democracy in continental Western
Europe. Complete understanding of
what this signifies for democracy every
where should give pause to those who
mistakenly assert that European
squabbles are no concern Of the United
States" They need to reconsider their
position on this vital matter.
Perhaps an aid to clarity will be for
them to recall that France, during our
war to gain independence from Great
Britain, did not take the attitude that
what was happening here was mo con-
cern" of hers. The fact that France
at that time was governed by other con-
siderations than pure altruism in no
way minimizes the force of her historic
example. Fortunately, it is not neces-
sary in the present situation, critical
though 1t is, to resort to arms, after
the manner of France more than a $50
years ago. Concerted pressure by eco
nonic methods short of war" would
now permit the avoidance of direct mill
tary methods.
What has been said about danger 70
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