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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZurich Herald, 1938-04-21, Page 6By Elizabetk Eedy Highlights of the Week's News Commentary on the WATCH FRANCE: France has often been called "the key nation of Europe." Now, as never before, this designation is apt, For the eyes of all European governments are watch- ing the shifts and changes in the French Cabinets those days, and for- eign policies of many countries are modified accordingly. An article in "Current History" points out that, since the National (Chamberlain) Government of Great Britain is a Government of the Right or Conservative elements, it is greatly to its interest to have a government Of the Right in France, too. Hence the break-up of the French Popular Front, coming simultaneously with the resignation of Leon Blum, Leftist Premier, last week, was cheered mightily in London. In Berlin, too, the fall of the Blum Cabinet was hailed as the opening of a new era, with French. policy more favorably disposed toward Germany. . likelihood of the early drawing away from the Franco -Soviet pact by the new French Government was also pause for rejoicing there, strengthen- ing Hitler's hand to make faster work pf Czechoslovakia (or Alsace-Lorraine or Danzig or Lithuania). At •home in France the nation was apparently not so pleased. Leon Joubaux, French labor leader, claim- ing followers numbering six million, was furious at the forced break-up of the Popular Front, threatened a gen- eral strike of all .industry. Socialists and Communists alike, who together form the largest bloc in the Chamber, cried "Down with the Daladier Gov- ernment!" overnment!" The former would not lend the government their support when invited to do so; the latter were ex- cluded as being too extreme for a Centre or Right government. For a moment, then, France was close to revolution which was kept from coming to a head by the realiza- tion that "another 1789" in France would precipitate a general European war. Why? Because civil war in France would create a situation there directly comparable to the situation in Spain; the armies of Hitler and Mussolini would undoubtedly plunge into the conflict and there you would have it. The new government is representa- tive of only a small section of the French people, with pressure being brought to bear on it from both the Right and the Left. The crisis is still on; France will be worth watching for the next few weeks and every new development will be significant. CONSERVATIVE LEADER: Every day in every way the list of prospec- tive candidates for leadership of Can- ada's Conservative Party is growing bigger and bigger. Sometimes rumor moments it, later to bo denied. At present live candidates are prominent- ly mentioned: Arthur Purvis, former Chairman of the National Employment Commission; Hon. Dr. R. J. Manion, former Minister of Railways and Can- als; Hon. J. Earl Lawson, once Min- ister without portfolio in the Bennett Cabinet; Denton Massey, Toronto M. and Sydney Smith, President of University of Manitoba. P., the WHAT HITLER 'MAY PROPOSE: The foreign affairs commentator who writes under the pen -name of .Augur reported last week in his private ser- vice to London subscribers that Ger- many would propose a sensational deal for extensive territorial acquis- ition when Chancellor Hitler visits Premier Mussolini in Rome next mouth. Augur said Germany would ask a free hand in gradual absorption of the Danubian region.as far as the Black Sea. In exchange, it would offer to help Italy eventually to take from France the rich strip of French terri- tory along the Italian border includ- ing the Savoie region and the Medi- terranean port of Nice; the Mediter- ranean island of Corsica, and the North African possession of Tunisia. PRESIDENTIAL SETBACK: Presi- dent Roosevelt's administration stag- gered under an overwhelming blow dealt in the United States House of Representatives last week when a number of Democrat members "cross- ed the floor of the House" and voted with the other side against the Presi- dent's Government Re -organization Bill. The issue was one of increasing Presidential powers to permit long overdue reforms to be made in the executive branch of the government. Observers say the defeat in such a manner of the Re -organization Bill means a big drop in the prestige of the President, that it will mark the beginning of a nation-wide struggle between F.D.R. and his "big business" critics. READY IN AUGUST: The long - heralded transatlantic air eervice on a twenty -four-hour schedule between New York and Foynes, Ireland, will start this summer, perhaps by the first of August, it was officially announced from New York last week. (Passen- gers and mail will be carried—com- mercial flights must wait till later.) According to the schedule, two planes will take off simultaneously from op- posite sides of the Atlantic, an Im- perial Airways "pick -a -back" plane from Ireland, a Pan-American Airways Boeing seaplane from Port Washing- ton, N.Y. Says Stratsphere Has Possibilities Harnessing and Storing of Atomic Energy Are Among Them The great potentialities to be de - rayed from the exploration of the strat- osphere, among which the harnessing and storing of atomic energy was, perhaps, the most important, were discussed by Squadron Leader John. A. Sully, until recently commanding officer of an R.C.A.F. squadron at Winnipeg, in addressing the Kiwanis Club of eloatreal last week. The speaker expressed the view that the conquest of the stratosphere was but a matter of time. Purposes of the explorations being made in 'the stratosphere, said Squad- ron Leader Scully, were many. Scien- tists were trying to discover what the changes in air pressure and tem- peratures emperatures were at that level in com- parison with sea level, and what was the wind speed, believed to blow stead- ily from the east. Efforts also were directed to finding out what the elec- trical conductivity of the air at strat- osphere height was for broadcasting purposes and for the navigation of air machines. Would Revolutionize Industry The explozers also were interested in discovering all they Could about the sheet of ozone which was sup- posed to envelop the earth at a great • height and which stops or "dampens" the ultra short -waves which scientists say would otherwise destroy all life on earth. The effect of the rarefied air of the stratosphere on radio sig- nale was another problem waiting "Most important consideration of all, however," the speaker said, "was that the discovery of how to harness and store atomic energy would com- pletely revolutionize industry, and would probably be the salvation of e"' civilization when the earth's present Stock of coal and all came to an end," The BOOK SHELF By ELIZABETH EEDY British imports last .year totalled, $5,148,560,000, a high record of many years; Construction is to extensive in Co- lQQmbia that a shortage of materials is treatened. Guards along the Russian border are using dogs to detect trespassers. South A MURDER ON SAFARI, by Elspeth Huxley. A new type of murder story came into being last autumn with the pub- lication of Elspeth Huxley's "Murder at Government House," which was at once a satire on high official life in Chania colony and a cracking good thriller. All-round fun. Now Mrs. Huxley has done it again with "Mur- der on Safari." Vachell, the Canadian sleuth who tracked down the killer of Chania's Governor, is back, too, with some even stranger problems to solve. Can a herd of buffaloes prove the alibi of Rutley, Lady Baradate's conceited chauffeur? Why did the elephants take alarm end move mysteriously away? Who put walnuts on the im- provised coffin containing the remains of Lady Baradale? Then there's the thrilling climax, in which Vachell sets a trap for the murderer with himself as bait, • The charaterization, the witty style and the swift -moving action of the plot grip the reader's interest from the first page to the last, and vividly re-create, from the writer's first-hand knowledge, the sights, sounds and smells of the African wilds in which the scene is set. Murder on Safari, by :Elspeth Hux- ley, pub. by Reginald Saunders, To- ronto. $2. ericarogr .. ".ai Js, �: T Thin. :Ed di Australia Plans R• search Course Institutions On Aeronaa tics to Cost Million Dollars Hon, R. G. Casey, federal treasurer, has announced Aurtralla will set up aeronautical and engineering research institutions at a capital cost of $'1; 000,000. The establishments will be based on recommendations contained in a report by H. E. Wimperis, former di- rector of the British Air Ministry at Farnborough. Mr. Casey said the Wimperis.report directed attention to the need for creating a chair and department of aeronautics, with a reader in meteor- ology, at one of the universities. This would ensure a supply of aeronautical engineers for military and civil avia- tion. Experimental Work An establishment equipped for ex- perimental work• in wind -tunnels .for engine tests, and for the physical tests of aircraft instruments and other ap- paratus, would cost $572,000 with an annual maintenance cost of about $5,0,- 000, Mr. Casey estimated. In addition, capital cost of building, and equipment for a national refer- ence 'standards laboratory at Canberra would be $320,000, with a maintenance cost of roughly $40,000. News In Review ______ `•oma r _ . t Fear War With Russia TOKIO. — The danger of conflict with Soviet Russia is increasingly claiming the attention of Japanese leaders and the public. Persistent rumors of preparations —lacking official confirmation — .and bellicose statements on both sides have intensified public anxiety. In informed quarters it was under- stood Japan recently moved some regular army units from China battle- fronts to Manchoukuo to man the .bor- der of Manchoukuo and Soviet Siberia. Chinese Prepare Push SHANGHAI. Chinese said this week they were preparing a gikantic drive toward the Yangtse River in an effort to retake Nanking, the capital they lost to the Japanese Dec. 11. New victories along the Tientsin- Pukow Railway and Taierchwang fronts were seen by the Chinese as an inspiration for the new offensive. A strong Chinese force along the Tientsin-Pukow line was reported ready to stroke out toward Pengpu, about 100 miles north of Nanking. a Consider Next Move BERLIN.—Chancellor Hitler's next step was debated this week in the. wake of the greatest vote of confi- dence ever accorded him. His creation of a greater Germany by annexation of Austria March 13 drew the approval of more than 99 per cent, of the nearly 50,000,000 per- sons who voted in the April 10 plebis- cite. . Germans speculated whether he would be inspired to take 'rapid action on other Nazi "unfinished" business. Would Spend $5,000,000,000 More WASHINGTON. — A potential $5,- 000,000,000 program of spending -for recovery took more definite form this week when President Roosevelt and his advisers agreed to ask the United States Congress for increased relief appropriations. TO Stop Avalanches By planting thousands of alder bushes on the upper slopes of the Alps, the Swiss Government hope to check avalanches. These tremendous falls of snow, which rush down the mountain sides at express speed, have caused heavy loss of life and great damage to pro- perty in years gone by. The object of planting the bushes is to hold the snows in the upper Alps and so check the first movement which !a:hers force as it rushes • downwards Chinese pigtails are being used in making textiles in Bradford, Eng- land. In Some Respects, Says Senator Webeter, Who Deulares That Interest In the Sorthern Con- tinent Is Growing Day By Day. The importance of the nations of the South American continent is to - recognized increasingly recognized by Europeanbeing powers and by the United States, Senator Lorne C. Webster said at Montreal last week in recount- ing the impressions made on him by a 00 -day 15,000 mile visit to that continent. The unsettled European situation his largely responsible for this new at- tention to South America, Senator Webster believes ee the new attention being exemplified by German, Italian and more recently British radio broadcasts clireered at South Amer- ican listeners. Everywhere in South America representatives of the vari- ous world powers are engaged in fos- tering closer commercial and political intercourse with that continent. Thoroughly Modern In some respects, the Senator found, South America has passed North America in development. For instance South America has a regular Trans -Atlantic airplane service, car- rying passengers, mail and perishable express. Some o' the universities of South America ante -date North Amer- ican institutions as McGill and Har- vard by as much as a hundred years. Good roads are much in evidence throughout the continent, and thor- oughly modern motor cars, railways, radius, moving pictures, etc., are'to be found, "Much' of the South American na- tive population is being Anglicized by movies made in the United States and Britain," Senator Webster re- vealed, "with the younger generation learning the language quite well by this means." The Younger Generation "The same younger generation is developing an intense na'ionalistic spirit, a spirit very much in evidence in other parts of the world," the sena- tor found, "and. young leaders are rising rapidly through the continent." The colorful historical background of South America, and the many at- tractions it has to offer, give it great potentialities as .a tourist mecca, ac- cording to the Senator. "Names like Morgan, Raleigh and Captain Kidd, Drake and the Spanish Main, are brought vividly to mind by South America," he said, "and their asso- ciation with the lands visited lends a distinct fascination." Poor Things Some girls marry and have nothing but their husbands to show for it.— Quebec Chronicle -Telegraph. They also canvassed the possibilities of broadening the Federal Govern- ment's present housing activities, such as the United States Housing Authority's program of clearing slums and building homes for low income groups. Sent Down For Five. Years NEW YORK. Richard Whitney, bankrupt broker and former president of the New York Stock Exchange, was 'sentenced last week to:serve from five to ten years in prison for. grand larceny. Whitney, whose brokerage firm, Richard Whitney & Company, failed on March 8, had pleaded guilty to two 'indictments charging first degree grand 'larceny in the misuse of secur- ities entrusted to his care 'by the New York Yacht Club and members of his family. .TI'IL WORLD AT LARGE CANADA of the CANADA THE EMPIRE' Morning's the Time A watch that is 'wound in the morning will last longer. The tight- ly wound main spring will stand the shocks and jars of day better than a loose main spring. For the same reason people are fresher and do bet- ter work in the mornings. By night they get run down.—Windsor Star. _0_ Better Be Careful Dr. W, T. Crombie, Superintend- ent of Queen Alexandra Sanitarium, London, Ontario, and noted author- ity on tuberculosis, has an unpleas- ant thought for us. If proper tests were taken, he asserts half of the population of Canada would be shown to have tuberculosis. Not that they should be in sanitaria, decidedly not, but they should protect themselves against care and overwork lest they find themselves there. Canadian Magazine. —O --- A Rig Attraction Every effort must be put forth by the authorities at Queen's Park to conserve and increase the game fish and wild life in general in this pro- vince. That the great Northern On- tario playgrounds and fisherman's paradise are the main attractions to American tourists who left something like $295,000,000 in this province in 1937, is evidenced in the constant stream of inquiries flowing into the Canadian Travel Bureau each spring. —Guelph Mercury. la —e— Canada's War Debt As shown by the Canada Year Book the war and demobilization ex- penditures of Canada up to and in- cluding the fiscal year 1920 totalled $1,670,406,236. In the next three years, 1921-23, there' were further expenditures of $23,000,000 odd and since then there have been additional small items chargeable to war. These figures apply only to actual war•.ex- penditures. To get the cost of the war there would have to be added to them the large, continuing, outlays for pensions. From 1914 to 1920 the gross debt of Canada rose steeply from $544,391,369 to $3,041,529,578. This enormous increase was chiefly but not entirely due to the war ex- penditures.—Kingston Whig -Stand- ard. —0— Those Royal Commissions The Ottawa Journal laments the now familiar orgy of royal commis- sions which has marked, our Canadi- an political scene in the past few years ... . But it is a splendid way for a gov- ernment to skate around responsibil- ity; it is assumed that by appointing a commission they have "done some- thing about it." The list of commissions in the past few years would be an impressive one. Whether the price of clearing the air in some cases was worth the cost is an open question. Yet one might well wonder where the respon- sibility of politicians in action begins and where it' ends—or if the royal commission is going to become a con- venient vehicle for holding' electoral support.—Hamilton Spectator. A Delightful Suritize for London (England) Couple ffs ,..>�2 "w:',MA",wr'"Vall It isn't every British sub'ect 'ho Emil his IY,ng end Qu.cn at the door in amwer to a knock. .1V1r. and Mrs. C at the eeehtl had that delightful and ;uprising experience in their Lon - Charles. Whitaker, old age petisiolre,s ( • don flat, March 29„ Just as they were la nese g for tea. At the left, the Ding and Queen, during the teatime ehetl THE EMPIRE —0— Inconsistency The whole of Hungary's agricultu- sal labor market has been disorganiz- ed. Why? Because Germany has engaged 20,000 Hungarian: agricul- tural laborers for work in East Prus- sia, Yet Germany still keeps up her de- mands for colonies, saying that she needs to find an outlet for her sur- plus population. London Sunday Express. "It Has No Parallel" Those in Canada who cherish the - freedom of speech, writing, and pub- lic meeting guaranteed by the Con- stitution are much concerned at the "Padlock" Act recently passed in Quebec. The measure has no. paral- lel in a British Dominion. One clause declares it to be illegal for any house to be used to "propogate communism of bolshevism by any means whatsoever," though it is to be n'nted that in no part of the Act is any attempt made to define these per- nicious doctrines ... Among elemen- tary principles of British constitu- tional government are freedom of speech, of the press, and of public meeting, subject to the limitations of the criminal law; the right of a man to a fair trial in open court if charged with an offence; and the freedom of the home from arbitrary search. All of these are violated by the new Act, and the anxiety of lib- eral opinion throughout Canada at the reactionary nature of the measure can well be understood.—Manchester Guardian. Expert Visions "Flivver" Plane Forecasts Mass Production of Air- planes for Private Owners' Use Dr. Alexander Klemin, head of New York University's school of ae- ronautics, this week forecast mass production of "flivver" airplanes within five years which would incor- porate revolutionary safety devices for the' private owner. In an article in the "Quadrangle" undergraduate publication, Dr. Kle- min said developments making for greater safety would include an abo- lition of rudders to simplify opera- tion, improved air brakes and devices to make "stalling" and "spinning" impossible. The prices of the "fiivvers", he ad- ded, would be down to those of popu- lar automobiles. Vehicles' may be made, he said, which could be used either as airplanes or automobiles. Tricycle Landing Gear He characterized as the most pro- mising safety development the tri- cycle landing gear which simplifies landing. Another encouraging factor in modern light plane design is the elimination of rudders, inasmuch as the novice pilot has a hard time co- ordinating his hands and feet in us- ing ailerons, elevators and rudder, Dr. Klemin found. Lateral control, as in some pres- ent day experimental types of planes, would .be achieved by aileron opera- tion. The service costs of the "flivver," the article concluded, would be no greater than on the average automo- bile, and hangar rent would approxi- mate garage rent. NeiN Coal Furnace ,Runs Fria ° Weeks Without Attention to Fuel Sup- ' ply, Ash Removal or Dam- per Setting The head of the house, weary after a season. of coal stoking, can look for- ward to another winter when he won't have to fire the furnace more than once a fortnight, the Mellon In- stitute reported this week at Pitts- burgh. Dr. E. R. Weidlein, director, at the end of the Institute's first year in its spacious $0,000,000 home, told trus- tees of the development of anthracite heating equipment that operates "for weeks at a time" without attention. He told, too, 'how 213 scientists had spent $1,062,830 in the year on scien- tific research on things ranging from shirt collars to dish washing. Pointing to the possibilities of coin- bining heating plants with other household utilities, and of using base- ments for recreation and other pur- poses, he said: Installations of anthracite heating 'equipment are now .operating for weeks at a time, witbott any attention Whatever to the fuel supply, ash re- moval, or clamper; settings."