EGYPT AND ITALY It may be taken as proved that many Egyptians desire the growth of Italian influence in the East. They regard it as naturally counterbalancing that of the English. At any moment they would willingly use one to play off the other. From this angle Mussolini's ambitions, far from troubling them, are of service. We already know what anger and apprehension were felt in Cairo when England finally laid hands on Lake Tsana, the chief water-power of the Nile. . .
Against Italy arc other religious and political factors. If Egypt is Mohammedan, it has a population or more than a million Christians naturally inclined to support Christian Ethiopia. The patriarch of Alexandria holds sway over many subjects of the Negus, and the same is true of the metropolitan of the Greek Church, who has authority over several thousand Ethiopian subjects in the Eastern provinces. . . .
The near future will probably show the dominating currents. Whatever happens, the repercussions of public opinion in Egypt will be far-reaching and probably infinitely serious, both in Africa and Asia. Indeed, the principles end prestige of European colonialism are put to a severe test by the present conflict. I.et Mussolini pursue his action, and before this new European offensive violent resistance against the dominant races will crystallise, especially if Egypt gives the signal. Should he be forced to retreat, the danger will be yet greater, for the victory of Ethiopia would be felt
in . four corners of Africa and Asia as an incalculable defeat for Europe and the white races, whose development would tl enceforward be brought to a dead stop by internecine division. The whole colonial edifice would come toppling. England, more than any other country, would feel the disastrous consequences of what she believed to be her victory.
—Echo de Paris.
Man and Over-Production
The vicious circle of the non-production of wages and an almost unsaleable production which may be called by its scientific name of "over-production" has its origin in the minds of men who, having created money to meet the growing difficulties of barter, and created machinery to spare men trouble and fatigue, have failed to achieve a periodical adjustment in the creation and use of machinery and money for the necessities of social life.
As the Comte de Paris rightly points Out in Le Coterie, Royal—"Historically it was function which created human society, distinguishing men according to their estate and aptitudes, and making each of them a part of an orgaric and living whole." We may add: It is the same with the instruments and institutions created by men in the service of social functions from which they cannot be separated without harm.
Yet history is there to remind us that man in losing the sense of his destiny has lost his sense of means. Thus he confuses his end with his means and becomes the slave of the latter.
—Sepf.
The Palestinian Situation
In the Arab politics in the Holy Land three things should be noted: First, a deadlock has been reached by the two opposing parties of the Nasciascibiani and the Hursciniani. The famous lawsuit which the Mufti group were to have brought against the ex-mayor's press cannot be opened since it necessitates the presence in Palestine of the chief person concerned, the Emir Sciakib Arslan, wh) cannot obtain authority to set foot in the country.
In the second place there is renewed activity in the ranks of Mussulman youth who have adopted nazi principles and propose to put them into practice, beginning with the contributions of propagandist groups.
Finally, the general trend of feeling among the natives of Palestine faced with possible war is important. The Addifa of Jaffa particularly insists on the point declaring that it is the most necessary of patriotic duties to bind all the Arab parties into a single whole and +:.), trace their line of conduct should Lhere be an international outbreak. For such an event they should be ready— disciplined by the experiences of the last
war. The same newspaper points out that the natives of Palestine must continue uninterruptedly their struggle against Zionism, • which is becoming an ever greater menace to their very existence in the land of their fathers.
--Osservatore Romano.
The 'U.S.A. and Latin America It cannot be our endeavour to whitewash the inside and outside of Mexican catholicism. We think that not a few of its representatives were hermetically sealed against contact with the new and fruitful in modern • endeavour. Living in a country afflicted with vivid racial and moral contrasts, they almost automatically saw much from a provincial rather than a Catholic viewpoint. In all this they differed not a whit from their surroundings. Where corrupt politicians were doing lip service to half-baked and erronous versions of the newer revolutionary ideologies.
Our contention is, in essence, that the church i Mexico was always demonstrably so superior to what was outside it that to see it in the proper perspective is to realise its ethical, and spiritual greatness.
We believe that Americans would almost unanimously endorse this contention were it not for the unfortunate prejudices aroused during the course of Protestant missionary effort in Latin America. The history of those prejudices is a long arid tortuous one. No comment on it is intended here apart from the observation that it has had many and serious repercussions in the United States.
—The Commonweal.
The Evolution of Japan At the outset of its renascence the Japanese people concentrated its energies on the absorption of Western civilisation. The industry of the country made corresponding progress. The period between the Russo-Japanese war and the great war, in particular, marked a turning-point in the development of our industry which involved considerable gain to the material strength of the empire.
On the other hand, individualism and liberalism, brought in from the West, rapidly began to gain ground in the nation. Linked with the dominant fashion of materialism due to the prosperity following the great war, these Western "isms" engendered serious moral chaos in Japan by obscuring the traditional Virtues of the nation. Indeed, at times it was almost to be feared that the country might lose its national spirit.
It was at this period that democracy suddenly gained foothold in Japan and for a time appeared to be the chief current of thought among the university men and those who had a platform, thus endangering the very foundations of the country. Moreover, capitalism was also beginning to gain ground, followed by the introduction of socialism and communism . . .
In pursuing its national ideal Japan should, in the future, have the courage to follow the path of justice. Needless to say that will be difficult. As long as other nations continue to regard Japan with distrust and jealousy, to be prejudiced against her. or—on the other hand —if they unite with us in a common effort towards an equitable world-peace, it will be of the utmost importance for the Japanese nation to espouse the cause of justice in the presence of difficulties and obstacles.
—General Nobuyuki Abe in the
Gal/co Siho.
Neither Jew nor Greek As Catholics we must extend to our brethen, no matter of what race or colour or condition of life, something more than mere "social justice." There must be some heart in what we do, not just the cold, abstract, blind fulfilment of the requirements of justice. If justice without merciful love were meted out to us, we could only say: "Lord, who shall stand it?" Justice should be presupposed among Christians.
Of course, we know that the Negro is frequently denied that measure of justice which is his due. He is treated unjustly in many places and on many matters. This injustice must be overcome. But it will never be overcome by pleading merely for justice. Until Christians are awakened to the ideal of universal brotherhood in Christ; until they proceed to place as a basis of action the principle that in Christ there is neither bond nor free, Jew or Greek, they will not give even what justice demands.
—The Commonweal. The Spirit of Nazism " Are you a Jew?
" No."
" Are you a Catholic?
" No."
" Are you a Steel-Helmet?"
" No."
" Then put down 'spirit of contradic tion ' and bludgeon him."
—Le Canard Firchaine.