The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1943-05-20
COMMENT ON WORLD
EVENTS

Ine nfSC step toward restoring
democracy to Europe is the restoration
of free and independent European
labor movement, which was the back
bone of democracy on the continent be-
fore the advent of Hitler.
Communism, NaZism and Fascism
are all foes of democracy. They all de-
strOyed independent unions.
But restoration of democracy does
not necessarily accompany military oc-
cupation of Europe by the United Ma
tions. That must be done by the people
themselves. If reactionary economic
mOnopolies are given strong support
by the militarists occupying Europe, it
is possible that workers of Europe
would be tempted to think that only
Stain can help get rid of them.
x
Finland has once more paid on the
dot the interest on the S26,OOO,OO0 we
advanced her back in the winter Of
1910 for purchase of food, clothing and
other civilian supplies for the people
who were opposing Russia in what
q
invasion"
On May 1 it scraped together $474-
600 and paid it over to our Export
Import Bank.
But because of the pressure we are
now putting on Finland to change sides
in the war and fight Germany instead
of Russia, orders were issued not TO
give out any announcement of the fact
that out of all the European countries
to whom the United States has loaned
money, Finland is the only nation that
has made an honest effort to meet her
obligations.
There was a time when we cheered
Finland, thrilled to the refrain of
"Finlandia." Even now we admit the
people of Finland are plucky. But the
fact remains that Finland is not now
fighting on the side of the United Ma
tions, regardless of how hard she may
be fighting to preserve her democracy,
and in Il total war we cannot continue
to give aid and comfort to those who
are not wholly on our side
X x X
Victory in Africa ahead of schedule
puts us nearer to final victory in
Europe and in Asia. The next step is
being decided by the high command of
the United Nations meeting in Wash
ington. A stiff fight is ahead of US in
Germany. A bloody battle looms in
Asia. Victory makes hardship, sacri-
fees, loss of loved ones little easier
to bear.
Victory stimulates our thinking on
what to do about repairing the world
after war has taken it's toll. We con-
fess we are somewhat foggy about the
solution of postwar problems. We
haven't found the answer among the
1877 important government and private
agencies in the United States engaged
in research of public education on IA
national scale on the problems that
face the United States when the war
ends More than a third of these agen-
cies are devoting major attention to
problems involving international rela-
tiOnS. Others are considering business.
finance, agriculture, consumer security
education, engineering, social security,
housing, racial, labor, legal, public
works, and transportation problems.
The American Federation of Labor has
named Il committee to study postwar
problems.
Winning the peace is more a concern
of the United States now than ever be-
T. e = - n,,,.
solutions, no matter how perfect, will
be compromised with those of our
allies. They have some definite ideas
about the future of our world. We
cannot afford to be less definite in our
ideas if we hope to effect Il practical
| antpnrnp,isn an