RANDOM NOTES

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 258, 29 July 1939, Page 10

RANDOM NOTES

Sidelights On Current

Events (By Kickshaws). The farmers of the Empire, it is contended, should get together. Get what? » * * It looks as if the scheme for fixing that £17,000,000 loan is going to be a capital idea for five years. » * * Weather experts say that the recent cold snap was the result of a cold front. Most folk will agree that it was not only the front that got cold. * * * “In the event of England and _ the Empire being conquered by the dictatorship nations, what chance would U.S.A, have if they immediately set about bringing her downfall as well?” writes “Kainga.” “Also, how does the wealth of the United States compare with that of the British Empire or other major nations?” [The matter is discussed below.]

It is certainly time some clear thinking was done by citizens who live in what are called democratic countries. Actually, the significance of this word is changing all the time, because it has been found that in times of crisis action must be a prelude to confirmation. The democratic countries consist of Britain, France, America, and many smaller Powers. Just exactly what type of country Russia is at present nobody knows. It is a fact that her system is closely akin to the German. There have been certain modifications of policy in Russia since the new era began. The tendency at the moment is for Russia to become more democratic. The tendency of totalitarian countries, including Germany and Italy and any friendly nation who can be persuaded to bow to them will be to remain totalitarian until their dictators die. What happens then is a matter for the people. History ihdicates revolutionary changes and a swing to democratic principles, rather than toward the ant heap.

At the moment Germany and Italy are ruled by tyrants,. politely called dictators. There have been many instances of tyrannical rule in history. The word tyrant is used in its correct meaning, and must not be considered defamatory. Tyrannical rule has certain advantages. Things eau be done quickly, because ’ one man’s word “goes.” It does not mean that things can be done more wisely. Germany and Italy have excluded free thought, and their peoples have to subscribe to tyrannical rule or go to concentration camps. There is, in fact, no “opposition.” One may, therefore, assume that in Germany and Italy one-man-rule enables the nation to go baldheaded for any policy, whether it be to convert iron into aeroplanes or Christians into pagans. Germany and Italy suffer from certain disabilities. The two countries are bankrupt financially. They are living on their capital*. Moreover, tyrannical rule depends entirely ’on showmanship. Ever so often the magician must produce his ration of rabbits from hats. Usually the pace gets so swift the magician has a nervous breakdown or gets the boot, or both.

Set against the totalitarian countries we have the three wealthiest democracies in the world—Britain. France and America. AU the land hi the world worth owning, aU the gold, aU the business investments, all the raw materials, practically all the oil and fuel, is controUed by these three great Power, and half the peoples of the world. Those who rule over the totaUtarian countries know only too weU that their chances of winning a. war against a combine of these three powerful countries is absolutely nil. Even if Japan were ranged against the combing as well there is not the sUghtest hope of success. It would be asking one’s opponent at cards to play without aces or Royal cards. Talk of a short swift wttr is simply fantastic. There could not be a short swift war against so powerful a combine. The Kaiser planned a short swift war against a lesser combine. He engaged in war under conditions vastly more propitious, and he lost. The situation, therefore makes war impossible if Britain, France and America combine. The only hope for the dictator countries is to separate the democracies and attack them in turn.

The chances of Germany and Italy defeating Britain and France are greater than the chances of defeating the triple alliance of Britain, France and America. Nevertheless, the chances are remote, because these two countries are vastly more powerful than the dictator countries in a war of endurance. The policy of the dictators is to attack each democracy separately. Care is to be taken not to offend the other democratic countries until their turn for destruction arrives. It is an open secret that those who control Germany seek to destroy France before then starting on Britain. America will come later. The position of that huge nation would be most unenviable if France and Britain had gone. She would be assailed by Japan on one side, and harried by Germany and Italy on the other side, using al the key positions at present controlled by Britain and ail her vast wealth. It is certain that America would not win. The best might be a stalemate for a few years. Nobody realizes this fact better than the President of the United States of America—Mr. Roosevelt. It requires skill and patience to make a nation of 120,000,000, garnered from all countries, appreciate an unpalatable truth. * * *.

It is very difficult to compare the wealth of the United States of America with other nations. Comparison between the British Empire and the United States of America is even more difficult, because the United States is a self-contained unit, with no empire. At the moment the United States may be assumed to control all the currency gold in the world, possessing nearly two-thirds of the available £2,000,000,000. Her income from outside investments, however, is smaller than that of Britain, but probably safer. Britain’s income is about £200,000,000 a year; America’s £80,000,000. Except for one or two essential commodities, such as rubber and certain metals, the United States of America is self-contained both in peace and war. She controls a very large propft' tion of the oil supplies. She is entirety self-supporting in food, and particularly self-supporting in industrial requirements. It is on these facts that isolationists base their policy of complete detachment from world affairsUnfortunately, the United States of America is already almost within bombing range by aircraft In Europe, and in the course of a few years will definitely be within range. Complete Isolation was impossible 25 years ago. Keen brains in America realize that today it is quite out of the question America at the moment is the greatest power for peace in the world. She can make or break Hitler, Mussolini plays a secondary rolei.