Evening star., 1940-05-19
America Seen Facing Nazi Peril
If Allies Are Defeated in War
Roman Peace Would Be Dictated by Axis Leaders
and Rich Possessions Would Be
Directed From Berlin
RN EAHefn
By Constantine Bro,cn.

President Roosevelt has asked Congress
Tor new and substantial appropriations
for the Army, Navy and air force. The
tragedy of the Western democratic states
In Europe has made the White House,
the State Department and the majority
OF the members of Congress realize that
wars are no longer waged with swords
and pistols, and that man power is only
cannon fodder unless backed by the most
up-to-date war paraphernalia.
The truth is that Washington leaders
believe We are facing Hitler and his
partner. While the prospect that the
totalitarians may actually attack the
United States is still remote. there is a
strong feeling that the defeat of the
allies would mean, in the end, a defeat
for the United States, and we must be
prepared for any eventuality.
Ihose who are worrying about the un-
fortunate developments in Europe-for
the allles-are not sentimentalists. Few
among them talk about making the world
safe for democracy. If we are drawn
into the present holocaust, it won't be
Tor the sake of billions the allies NAV
owe the United States in the future.
Here, in brief, is the thesis put forth
by the molderS of our national policies.
IT the French and the British are de-
feated, Roman peace" will be dictated
by the totalitarians. Whichever side is
defeated will be downed for many wears
10 come. AS things are now, it is not
unthinkable that the British and the
French may have the short end of the
stick. Under such circumstances Europe.
parts OF Asia and major part of Africa
would be in the hands of the totalta-
rlans, with the master brain in Berlin.
Competition Is Keen.
The economic system of Germany.
Russia, Italy and Japan is based on
> state socialism. The individual is wheel
IN the machinery-the State is supreme.
All the rich possessions of the British.
French, Dutch and Belgian colonies
would be transferred to the powers of
the axis. These governments, then own
Ing vast resources and all kinds of raw
materials, could produce far more cheaply
than we can in this country. Hence.
unless we change our form of govern
ment and follow the totalitarians eco
nomlcally-and by inference politically
American manufacturers and farmers
will be out of luck. AS it is we have been
having hard time competing with the
Germans and Italians in South America
and IN Southeastern Europe, and have
mad to erect powerful economic barriers
sometimes unsuccessfully-to compete
with the Japanese in our own country.
But since they had to buy from the
United States the oil, cotton copper and
other raw materials needed for their in
dustrles, the competition of the totali-
tarians outside our own borders was
tolerable
II the British and the French are de-
Ieated, our cotton and oil will choke us
We shall not be able to sell it abroad
The totalitarian governments having all
THESE materials free, will be able to pro-
'duce and sell at prices with which the
United States cannot compete. Hence.
an increase In unemployment and a
rapid drop in our standard of living.
The South American markets will be
taken away from us within a short time
after a Roman peace has been dictated.
For the time being, the governments of
the South American republics are play
ing along with us. but there may come a
time when the pro-axis elements in those
countries will have the upper hand and
will prefer to deal with Berlin and Rome
rather than with their comparatively
new friend-Washington. Nations more
frequently than individuals fraternize
with countries offering more profitable
economic dealings; they are seldom
bound by such ideologies as democracy
and economic individualism.
Most Serious Lack Is Planes.
These, in short, are the considerations
which worry the leaders in WASHINGTON
when they read the disconcerting news
from the Western European front. The
paramount thought in their minds at the
moment is to facilitate supplying the
allies with all the material they lack.
The democracies do not lack man power.
But they are sadly deficient in airplanes
and, up to point in anti-air artillery
and in mechanical forces.
Their most serious lack, however, is
airplanes. The Germans have managed
to build an air force of incredible
strength. Even if the figures of the
German government-60 900 machines
are exaggerated, it is believed here that
they have between $4,000 and 10000 pur-
suit and bombing planes. Some 80 per
cent Of these mist he 11Sad for troi,,ipr