Waugh on War

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23014, 17 October 1936, Page 4

Waugh on War

A punning title, which settles any pronunciation controversy concerning the author’s name, is given to Evelyn Waugh’s book on the Ethiopian-Italian conflict, “Waugh in Abyssinia.” After a preliminary history of the dispute and an account of his personal experiences of the last days of the Ethiopian Empire, the author concludes with a survey of the working of the new administration. A Woman Critic The British Academy has awarded to Miss Caroline F. E. Spurgeon the Rose Mary Crawshaw Prize for this year for her recent book; ’‘Shakespeare's Imagery and What It Tells Us.” This prize is given annually for the best historical or critical work on English literature by a woman of any nationality. Anecdote Wanted For its tenth annual contest the International Mark Twain Society is offering a prize of 25 dollars for the best anecdote dealing with a famous author either living or dead._ The contest will close on June 1, 1937. Particulars are obtainable from Cyril Clemens, Webster Groves, Mo., U.S.A.

was joined by an inquisitive stranger who did not■leave me till hours later. I escaped him into my friend’s car. I felt honoured by the attention paid to me by an efficient police foi’ce. THE PLIGHT OF THE FARMER I have crossed many frontiers before, but none as noticeable as that between the Soviet Union and Poland. In Russia, large fields of wheat, rye, oats,'buckwheat, sugarbeet, sunflower, with only the small plots of vegetable garden surrounding the communal villages to break the picture of large-scale agriculture. Across the border lies ancient peasant farming. The same crops, but the fields hardly larger than the kitchen gardens of the Russiah communal workers. In stripes mostly of diminutive width they extend over the rolling downs as far as the eye can see. But even more noticeable is the change in “ atmosphere.” In Russia agriculture is asked to do its utmost to produce all the goods it can bring forth. New primary industries are springing up in all parts of the Soviet Union, from cotton to rubber, from oranges to medicinal plants. The country is thirsting for goods, and it is bursting with energy to produce them. In Poland the opposite is the case. Her neighbours either have closed their frontiers against her exports, or are imposing tariffs in order to safeguard their own agricultural industries. By means of a system of trade treaties and export subsidies, she is endeavouring to raise prices to a remunerative level. This system, however, does not appear to be sufficiently stable. Wheat, for example, is supported by an export premium, which in the past has succeeded, by securing the export of the surplus production, in maintaining a margin of profit. Recently, however, its orice dropped from about 5s to 3s a bushel, bringing havoc to the-large bulk of farmers.who rely on it as their staple product, as well as to those numerous farm hands whose chief remuneration is paid in the form of cereals. Whereas, in Russian agriculture, the machine is rapidly replacing hand labour, Poland is bent on the opposite process. .Machines, where available, are locked up in their sheds, old methods of hand labour coming back into their own again. Kerosene, though one of Poland’s chief products, is too dear for the tractor. Binder twine is more expensive than harvesting with sickle or scythe. Poverty, always the lot of the peasant and farm hand, is now shared by the squire. Indebtedness is so heavy and general that periodically it is being alleviated by the State. This naturally interferes with the ordinary credit system. Daily wages amount to 7d a day. .

But what struck me more than any difference in political or economic conditions is that in outlook. If I were to characterise the most striking impression I had in Russia, I, should, say that. to me it seemed to be “a land of hope.” The Russians live more in the future than in the present. They are entirely absorbed in the idea of creating something for coming- generations. West of the border this feeling vanishes. Things have gone from bad to worse, and there is little hope of an improvement. Where, after all. should it come from? As long as the system of national jealously and economic provincialism prevails, as long as competitive arming—Poland possesses the second largest army in Europe, for which it spends' at least one-third ,of its national income—draws the sap of heavily taxed peoples and prevents any sense of - security, the feeling. of futility and hopelessness which now pervades the land cannot -make place to one of hopefulness, progress and construction. INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT But the foreign visitor, who judged the state of the country from that of its agriculture, would be far off the mark. In recent years Poland has embarked on a policy o' large-scale industrialisation, in Some aspects, It appears, even at the expense of the pro'perity of its primary production. The reasons for this are manifold; the difficult situation of an exporting agricultural country surrounded by neighbours rapidly attaining independence from importations of primary products; the resulting economic necessity of producing industrial goods at home; and the insecure political situation which renders the achievement of economic independence a major aim of the nation’s defence preparations. A visit to the port of Gdynia, situated on the Baltic Sea, in the Polish . Corridor, reveals the tremendous energy of this nbw industrial development. Fifteen years ago a small fishing village, to-day it is a large thriving port, more and more attracting the trade which formerly flowed to the adjacent port of Danzig. On the wide quays—all recently built into the sea—l saw the most up-to-date equipment for loading and unloading stores, warehouses, huge railway sidings, and the most beautiful Customs and reception building for overseas liners I have, seen in any port anywhere in the world. Altogether, Poland has changed tremendously. The trains are beautifully clean and run well to time. On the platforms of the larger stations special postal messengers are i attendance collecting letters and telegrams from passengers. There is a general appearance of efficiency. The army is said to be not only large, but thoroughly competent. And in its queer position surrounded by neighbours, any of whom. may turn enemies in times to come, Poland, with diplomacy and strength, wistfully manages to hole her own. There is one more big difference the traveller cannot fail noticing on •crossing the Russian frontier—the people west of it look happier. You see again smiling and laughter, men and women intent on nothing but their own private affairs. The Russian constrainedly peers into the future. The Pole stands with both his feet in this our own age. Which is right? Are the Russians taking too much upon themselves? Will they break down under the terrific strain they are pnposing upon human nature? Or, are the Poles realising their national dream only to fall between the grindstones of the opposing principles east and west?