Evening star., 1939-03-19
BIZ OUen L. Scott

Is no margin for increased activity unless
new workers can be imported or present
workers can be driven even harder, and
unless new sources Of raw material sup
ply can be tapped. Yet the very mo-
mentum of the German effort tends to
force the machinery to operate even fast
er and faster. Italy, on q smaller and
slower scale, is up against pretty much
the same problem.
The Hitler dilemma, as it appears to
well-informed officials here. is unusual.
That dilemma springs from the fact
that Germany must sell more and more
OF her manufactured products abroad in
order to obtain exchange with which to
buy those raw materials that are needed
to sustain the vast armament building
program and that are needed to feed and
clothe the population. Yet-with her in
dustry operating at capacity-any in
crease in the export of goods must come
either from lowered standard of living
for the German people or from some
reduction in the rate Of arms production
- y
To cut the standard of living of the
German people even farther than that
standard has been cut might only aggra-
vate internal stresses and strains that
already are disturbing Hitler. Yet to
reduce the rate of armament 1T a time
when Great Britain and France and the
United States are increasing the rate Of
their armament could cause the lnitia-
tive to fall from Germany.
1t appears to this Governments ex-
perts that Herr Hitler is caught in an
extremely tight place.
But that very fact gives rise to new
questions. If Hitler finds himself
caught. will he spar for time by talking
with the British and French about COL
onies and raw materials? Or, when
caught, will Hitler be tempted to
threaten to strike again in the hope of
winning concessions through fear, or of
winning quick victory at arms that
could give him more than any CONVEX
sations?
Nobody but the German dictator him.
self knows the answer to those questions
The latest move in Czecho- -Slovakia-
dividing that territory and gobbling most
OF its accepted here as q diversion
that gives no conclusive answer to what
comes next But this diversion does give
Hitler some help by providing him with
more farming lands and with an added
labor supply that can be had by disband-
ing the entire Czech Army and using
the added man power for service in Ger.
man industry.
The British and the French are try
ing to tempt Hitler to ease the strain by
talking about disarmament and by nego-
tlating over trade and colonies If the
dictator is In a mellow mood, this temp
tation may prove irresistible Few off,
clals IN this Government who have been
following the career of Germany's leader
think he will fall for such temptation
as the action of this week seems to show
Rather, their view is that the best way
to get results Is to try to checkmate the
Germans at every move. An offer of
barter. involving German goods and
American cotton, has been turned down.
so has every overture looking toward
Ierman-American trade agreement. The
latest proher of American financial aid
70 Brazil is intended to help that nation
become Independent of German barter
pressure. Offer of bargain prices on
armament made In America, instead of
IN Germany. is one more move by this
Government to add to Hitler's troubles
The idea behind the policy of this Gov
ernment is that If Germany can be
plnched for raw materials, she will be
forced to slow down on armament and to
ease up the whole tempo. Others, how
ever, think that the pinch will force Ger
many to take the offensive again.
something Of the nature of the speed
at which Germany has been operating
can be seen from facts and figures.
The best information this Government
mas is that approximately so per cent of
the national income of Germany is pass
ing through the hands of the government
at this time. If applied to the United
states, this would mean that the Federal
Governments budget Of expenditures, in
stead of being 5000 900 900, would be
$35, ,oo0, ,o0o,o 900.
But more than that. OF the money
passing through the hands of the Ger
man government, more than out of
every 5 marks are going for armament
ana the maintenance of armament If
that rate of outlay were applied to this
country. the comparable expenditure
would be $2l ,ooo. .o0o, 900 year instead of
the present $500, ,000, 900 on the Army
and Navy.
Armament is drain on the resources
OF people. not an addition to those re-
sources. People can't eat their cannon or
oattleships. nor can they live in them or
oe clothed by them. Armament is an
economic waste that must be supported
by the work of the people, unless that
armament can in some way be used to
earn profit through conquest. Modern
wars appear, however, not to yield profits
even to the victors.
The net result is that Germany and
Italy are caught with the problem either
OF easing up on the rate of their arma-
ment or of putting their arms to early
use. And. II they 60 to war at time
when every resource is being strained.
there would be little chance for any such