Montana labor news., 1939-04-27
The European Situation

With incidents in Europe occurring
in such rapid succession as to almost
becoming monotonous, a sober sur
vey of the situation may clarity
previous obscure points.
The German Dream
German pre-war der dag is as
much of a fetish with Hitler today
as it was with the Kaiser in 1914.
The two detectives then-Berlin to
Bagdad Ry. and a window on the
Atlantic below the English Channel
are the same detectives (sub-
merged or camouflaged) today with
the added incentive of re-acquiring
the lost colonies. Hitler's apparent
mobilization against Soviet Russia is
but a smoke screen to lull the West
ern powers England and France)
into a peaceful slumber while he
makes his final preparations. Up
to date, his plans have succeeded
beyond his widest dreams. Just
now the Western powers woke up
in a nightmare and realized how
badly they needed Russia's help.
ROmania-Hitler's Way Station
Aside from Romania's rich oil,
grain and mineral potential value,
it would make a handy way-station
on the Berlin to Bagdad" road, Hit
ler's main objective. Bagdad itself
is not of much intrinsic value aside
from its military strategic position
a dagger pointed at the heart of the
British Empire. Acquiring this i'm
portant outpost, where he has
already made deals for commercial
airport facilities, he would be in a
favorable position to dictate terms
to England. The Suez Canal would
be at his mercy and Bagdad a splen-
did base of operations in a campaign
against English rule in India, Egypt
and eventually all of Africa.
A Clear Sky Turns Murky
A German harbor on French soil
south of the English Channel would
possibly not meet with insuperable
opposition from France, but coming
into Romania, Hitler would be tread
ing on Mussolini's corn as Il Duce is
casting amorous eyes in that direc-
ton too besides an overwhelming de-
sire for a complete control of the
Adriatic Sea. When Der Fuehrer
arrives at the shores of the Black
Sea and wants to use that for a har-
Dor for his fleet, he, no doubt, will
find word awaiting him from Mos
COW to the same effect as England
did when wanting free passage
through the Dardanelles for her war
ships after the World War.
The Axis Weakens
The "Anticomintern Axis be-
tween Germany, Italy and Japan
showed its first sign of weakness
when Japan applied for help from
her Western allies in her trouble al
Lake Hassan in East Siberia and
received but a promise of moral
support in 1888.
With no conflicting interests ano
facing a common enemy ENGLAND
mainly and France as of secondary
importance), the Berlin-Rome axis
was a bowling success; but now, with
new clashing interests in the Adri.
attic, Mediterranean and possibly OF
the African colonies, the axis will bt
exposed to a terrific internal strain
When coyotes and dogs feed on
carcass of some size, they are toe
busy helping themselves to notice
the other fellow; but, when it comes
to the last bones, there is a terrific
snarling of teeth. This is the poin.
the Berlin-Rom axis is nearing now
While the "Anticomintern Pact
may have been but a smoke screen t.
hide Interior aims, its coming to
showdown now and will irresistibly
draw the major powers into its ne
before it's finally settled.
While the internal strain in the
Berlin ome-Japan axis may Of it
self break it, the two immediate
targets, England and France, sense
the danger they are exposed to anC
have evidently concluded to take
chance on a world wal than peace
ably give up the ghost. Capitals
hatred at Soviet success is proverbia
but not strong enough to make
common front as Litvinoff (U. S. S
R. minister of foreign affairs) i
astute enough to realize.
Now, the Berlin-Rome axis, afte.
unmasking and showing its hand, ha
brought about the immediate lineul
against itself of Great Britain an(
France, and Russia almost ure t.
follow as a deciding factor. Will
the war on, and as carrion draw
vultures, Japan will likely take pos
session of the Chamchatka fishing
banks and thus create a showdown
in East Siberia which will newt
ably bring the U. S. into it OF lost
out in the Orient altogether. TIL,
Baltic countries may stay out Of thu
conflict for the same reasons they
did before to be a go-between foi
tha warriop nations