Evening star., 1947-09-07
American Hosteers Make Friends in Norway

received from your lend-lease pro.
gram.
The Danes probably know az
much about American history as
most Americans do. At Rebbild
Hills, city located In Denmark's Jut-
land, more than $4,000 Danes gssA.
cred on the 4th of July to celebrate
Americas Independence day. <fnis
Is an annual occurrence.
The Russian Question.
The Russian question is invari-
ably raised at informal discussions
but viewpoints are as diverse as
the people who express them. Some
Europeans believe the United States
has been subjected to an intense
two-year fear campaign sponsored
by big-business interests who hope
to halt the progress of socialism by
calling all honest liberals Com
munists. They view mounting hys-
terra with alarm; say that unless
America gives herself realistic kick
in the pants, she will lead herself
and other western nations to war.
However, many look with appre-
hension at RusSia's expansionist
aims; her excessive demand for
reparations from Germany, and
her misuse OF the veto in the United
Nations.
In response to these arguments,
others say that Russia Is not ex-
panding in an imperialistic sense:
they contend that she Is protecting
herself by taking control Of Nations
which have warred against her in
the past. In nations which historic
cally have not been anti Russian.
yet were Communist factions are
fighting for control today, these
youngsters say that Communists srs
sincerely working for the best inter-
ests Of the people by opposing gov
ernments which for number Of
reasons selflshness. inefficiency
and internal quarreling-have OUT
lived their usefulness.
They say that the exaction Of
stiff reparations from Germany is
natural since Russia's agricultural
and industrial areas were severely
crippled during the war; they fur
ther contend that Russia's use Of
the veto has been justified since
western nations are plainly out to
throttle her legitimate goals.
War Talk.
A few young Europeans hope the
United States will wage an immedi-
ate preventive war against Russia
before she has the opportunity to
perfect and increase her production
Of the atomic bomb.
There Is no difference between,
the present Soviet police controlled
state and Naziism as 1t existed in
Germany" young Frenchman de-
clared. Then. spreading his arms
wide apart and clenching his hsts,
he looked at this left hand and said,
This is Russia" Looking at his
right hand. he said. This Ia the
United States" Slowly he brought
his two fists together and pounded
one against the other.
"If war is inevitable" he con-
tinued, land perhaps it Is since the
two countries take such diverse
stands on fundamental issues, let's
have 1t now and be over with 1t.
The United States Is strongest to-
day, so why not begin immedi-
ately?"
One Of the most disheartenins OBJ
servatlons hostelers have made
abroad this summer Is the gleam of
excited anticipation which appears
in the eyes of few European boys
when che subject OF future war is
raised. Between Is and 20 years old.
these youngsters live in the coun-
tries least damaged by war. They
have never experienced life on
battlefield, but they have grown up
amid talk CT the last world struggle
and their heroes. for the most part,
are men who have proved them
selves In the underground or on the
battlefield. They profess horror at
the idea of q third world conflict:
but In the same breath they proudly
announce the side they will be
fighting for II war Is declared. It
appears that 10 them the prospect
of such an experience is adventure.
some.
1t Is cheering to note. however.
that these youngsters and the boys
and girls who recommend q quick,
preventive war are distinctly In the
minority. Most young people refuse
to believe that a Russian American
conflict is inevitable. They discuss
the possibility Of such Q conflict
with thoughtful discretion for they
think that loose talk first encour-
ages q worldwide sense OF hopeless.
ness and ultimately convinces the
people that war must come. Mean
while, most are looking TO the
United States for strong and INTEL
ligent guidance: they behevs that
events Of the next 10 years WIN de-
termine the worlds future for een.
turies to come.