Evening star., 1947-11-23
British Crisis
IsComplicated Is
Continued From Page C-1

violent and totalitarian methods to
prevail.
IF our economy and that of Eu-
rope should collapse our democracy
win in all probability collapse, too,
and will disappear, and with 1t will
go the last stronghold of Western
democratic civilization in Europe" "
Workers Don't Understand
Then speaking directly to the
Britishers, he said:
THE question that confronts us is
whether we as individuals can dis
cipline ourselves to the task that lies
before us or whether We are going to
invite the harsh discipline of events
to impose some tragic solution on us.
Let no man stand in our way,
whether he be owner, manager,
worker, or even black marketeer.
Our needs are too imperative, our
condition too urgent to allow any
restraint or restriction upon our
power to save ourselves"
Cripps is hard-working, God
fearing Socialist, who personally
leads the most austere of lives. He
expects others to do the same. Some
impartial observers, non-British
believe he is demanding more sacri-
fices than human nature and the
human spirit can bear. That is
where the gap between large spend
ing power and small amounts OF
purchasable goods come in.
The British workman has more
money, steadier employment and
greater security than he has ever
had, but the economic crisis and the
transition to naturalization of basic
industries are so complicated that
the ordinary worker, on whom the
success Of the Cripps program, de-
pends, does not understand why he
should work extra hours and other
wise increase his productivity.
Sagittarius, the brilliant satirist,
has expressed the situation this way
in her biting poem, "Let Cowards
Finch:
"The lo,Der strata of the popula-
tfOl
Appear to haze imbibed
soothing potion; 4
Faced with the mighty task OF
restoration
The teeming millions seem de-
Uotd of motion,
Indifferent to the bracing oppor-
tunity
OF selfeSS SerUice to the Whole
community"
Churchill's Proposal
Except in such industries as steel,
chemicals, textiles and pottery, the
workers have not yet awakened to
the crisis that is already upon them.
They are not Stacking but neither
are they working to their utmost
capacity. The incentive of more
money is only partly effective be-
cause there are so few goods to buy
and there will be fewer when the
export program gets into full swing.
Winston Churchill, in a magnifi-
cent rhetorical effort in Commons,
asserted that the way to increase
production was to "set the people
free" This appeal ignored the eco
nomic facts of the situation. Within
the next few years Britain must
have food and raw materials from
abroad, much from the dollar coun-
tries. A favorite Socialist saying is
that "too much money is chasing
too few goods" If the people were
set free" the race for domestic
goods would be that much faster
with the cleverest and most un-
scrupulous getting more than the
hardworking man and woman. The
contest for domestic goods would
not likely increase the vital pro-
duction of goods for export. Even
Churchill's closest friends shook
their heads sorrowfully over his
proposal. The official Conservative
platform openly asks for American
aid.
The Marshall plan would be a
temporary lifesaver by its sup
ply Of materials, dollars and con-
fidence that Britain still has the
United States for an ally. If the
Marshall plan is not approved, or If
"capitalistic" restrictions are added,
Britain will be a long time recover
ing from the wounds of war, and
at time when we may need her
most.
tBy Special Arransements with the
st. Louis Post-Dtspatch)