The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1940-11-07
Economic . . q
@A9AA9hA
Happenings That Affect the Dinner
Pals, Dividend Checks and Tax
Bills of Every Individual. National
and International Problems Insep-
arabic from Local Welfare.


arabic from Local Welfare.
To most Americans, the government
lat Nichy in so-called free France" is
la pathetic spectacle You can draw
la parallel with it here, working on
the supposition that we have been de-
Icisively defeated in a ruinous war,
have seen our capital, practically all
Iof our Industrial areas, and close to
half Of our territory occupied by a
ruthless enemy, and are faced on all
Isldes by enemy troops against whom
we have no military defense. That is
THE position France is in today. And,
under those circumstances, Marshall
Petain's announcement that France
would cooperate with the Axis powers
Ito "restore peace in Europe" should
mot have come as any great surprise.
Whether or not this makes France
Ia definite ally of the totaltarian
states is not yet clear. But it does
make clear the unpleasant fact that
France will do-offcially at least
whatever Hitler and Mussolini want.
Few observers think that Hitler's
promise not to use the French Navy
.against England is worth a hoot-most
Iof them think that before long what
lis left Of that Navy may be at sea,
fighting for the Axis. Every French
resource will be placed at Hitler's dis
Iposal when he wants it. 1t is no doubt
true that the average French citizen
hates Germany and prays for British
victory, but he is helpless. Every pre-
caution has been taken to make or
Iganized resistance impossible.
The action Of France is simply one
more of those many actions which
have been dividing the entire world
into two distinct and opposed groups.
On one side are Germany, Italy,
Japan and those other peoples the
! Axis is able to control. On the other
lis Britain and the United States. Latin
America remains the question mark,
and during the next few years both
sides are going to use every weapon
at their command-llattery, bribery,
and threats-to win her support. This
war is no ordinary war. 1t is a
world revolution. And "woe to the
Ivanquished" will be the motto Of the
ultimate victor
There is little talk now Of the war
lending soon. Rumors are again max
ling the rounds concerning peace pro-
IposaIs, and France was supposed to
have been drawn into the Axis for that
purpose. But it is extremely difficult
to see how any agreement could be
made that would be satisfactory to
both Hitler and England say
nothing of this country, which seems
determined to have a say when it
comes to redividing the world around
conference table. The chance for a
negotiated peace, in other words,
might be called an exceedingly improb-
able possibility.
The only other alternative is peace
Through complete military victory,
which is what both Hitler and
IChurchill have often said is their sole
aim, Churchill has also said that
| England will have air superiority
within another year and will take the
defensive then. But the events of the
Ipast year have certainly indicated
that air warfare is far from decisive.
In brief, as good guess as any now
! is that this war may go indefinitely.
The theory used to be that neither
C.,tfEninnt
sources to keep the war going for
-four or eight or ten years. Time seems
to have dissipated that theory. Ger
many's conquests have given her a
wealth of raw materials. She lacks
very little that is necessary to war
l. and what she does lack she as a good
chance Of gctting--as for example, tin
! from the East Indies, to be obtained
for her by her ally, Japan. England
50 long as she controls the seas, may
have to go on short rationS, but she
is able to bring the necessities to her
ports. Even if we accept German
claims Of sinking Of British owned OF
controllcd shipping, it is obvious that
hardly a dent has been made in the
! Empires merchant marine.
The questions Of plague and famine
.rcmain, But Germany and Italy can
no doubt last long time by quitting
the food supplies of the conquered
peoples. All reports indicate that the
Reich is doing just that now. Plague
is more difficult factor to discuss
Runors Of it comes from England, due
to conditions in afraid shelters, food
Irationing, and the deleterious physical