Those Government-Owned Plants
Lerne, Abba V.
The Double Standard A Few Questions to Our "Left Liberals By Harry Rogoff '. Jewish Dailu FormmrJ MORE than once, I have had the occasion to point out that our "left" liberals treat the...
...Said Mr...
...This tlould mean that China would get the money at a sufficiently low rate of interest so that she could reasonably hope to pay it off without undue burden...
...At the same time, the Soviet* have done everything to convince King Michael that he need not fear Russia...
...Why may the Soviets do the very things for which the Roosevelt Administration is severely criticized without a murmur of protest or rebuke by our so-called liberals...
...Her* ia what he says: "The negotiation* with King Michael were carried out by a Rumanian Communist who used to steal his way Into th* Royal Palace while-Bucharest was still full of Gestapo agent...
...So fa r as our own country is concerned, the one thing that would basically be required of us would be that we see to it that our national income remains at s high level in order that the home market in America may be sufficient to absorb a volume of goods equsl to that which we can ourselves produce, and in order that to the extent that we export to other nations, we may afford to them an equal market...
...Time and again nations have been compelled to borrow money abroad from the huge banking houses of the financial capitals of the world...
...both permitted without protests, butcheries and persecution of...
...These protests, in fact, continued until Victor Emanuel abdicated and turned over the nominal crown to his son Umbeito...
...minorities more horrible by fsr thsn those perpetrated in Italy...
...Hew ia It that our "left liberals" did not utter a word of criticism with regard to this startling Soviety pouieyT How come, indeed, that when our own government, two years ago, had failed to act in restoring the Cremieux Laws in North Africa (acts granting equality to Jews), our liberals raised a mighty protest against the Stale'Department, refusing to accept the explanation that it was prompted solely by military and political considerations...
...We were informed in dispatches from abroad that Soviet Russia was determined "not to interfere m the internal affairs of the liberated parts of Rumania...
...though their apparent fervent support of President Roosevelt ifi this campaign does not always seem to click with their readiness to condemn his Administration as "reactionary" at times...
...Representatives of the governments of the peoples of the world, rather than private international bankers, would manage and control this proposed Bank for Reconstruction and Development Presumably, their interest would be in the promotion of world peace and welfare...
...Pictures of King Michael and of his mother have continued to hang in offices of Rumanian civil administrators...
...Visson concludes with the following sentence: "Marshal Stalin does not need former King Carol any longer...
...Here the question is more controversial and there are some feature* that worry me considerably...
...All the "hft" editorial writers and radio commentators in one voice proclaimed that the Italian King must go, that dealing with him was a disgrace for world democracy and an insult to our soldiers fighting fascism everywhere...
...The Soviets are pursuing a policy of "realism" In every country involved in this war, regardless of the nature of its government...
...Of all the features of the proposals agreed to by representatives of all 44 of the United Nations at Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, the most important to my mind is that if these agreements are finally ratified by the governments^ of the nations, the possibility of future wars resulting from international loans will be reduced to a minimum...
...Tne Soviet armies, in the districts occupied by them, treated Rumanian institutions with deference...
...Both Carol and Michael were responsible for getting Rumania into the war on the side of the Axis...
...It ia reported from Mexico City that Oumanaky has negotiated with Carol regarding his return to Rumania...
...In fact, they become definitely irked when anyone calls attention to a Soviet shortcoming...
...Some weeks sgo, there was one such striking example of "liberal" discrimination...
...Visson further writes that the Soviet Government continued patiently to wait until King Michael became convinced that the war was lost by the Naxis and would accept Russia's terms—the cession of Bessarabia and Bukovina...
...The Soviets carried out a similar policy with regard to General Mannerheim in Finland...
...He added that while Communists adhere to the principle* of a democratic form of government they are ready te overlook it for a time when the grave titration in s country demand* it...
...I asked this Communist who acted as the negotiator what he thought of King Michael...
...he M now willing to give his protection to King Michael, who in turn is ready to be a 'good neighbor* te Soviet Russia...
...I cannot here discuss in detail the proposals for the International Stabilisation Fund...
...Mr...
...Yet, when a similar excuse is offered by the Soviets with regard to Rumania, liberal opinion •iipeai-s ready to accept it without questi ming...
...Indeed, the money to be loaned would only be paid out as the work progressed upon the project for which the loan was made...
...Interest rates in many cases have been exorbitant, and worst of all there have been times when international conflict itself has resulted due to the pressure exerted upon governmental policy by those interested in the collection of such loans...
...Right now, the Soviet Government is doing in Rumania exactly what we did in Italy last year...
...What would be required would he that the nations play the game of international trade on a fair basis and without discrimination...
...SoME details published recently in the New For* Herald Tribune concerning the Soviet-Rumanian accord would hardly be pleasant reading to any liberal...
...Still, our "left liberals'* bare mutely condoned the act of the Soviets of retaining Michael on the throne under terms of sn armistice...
...Although the loan to China might be made with private funds, it would be guaranteed by this Bank and the terms of the loan would have to be approved by the Bank for Reconstruction and Development...
...Thus there is, in my opinion, in the Bretton W oods proposal* real hope that, in place of the tragic consequence* which international lending ha* frequently had in the past, it could become sn instrument for the building up of the general economic welfare of many of the neediest nation* of the worM...
...You will recall the storm which broke out in the "left" press about a year ago when it became known that the United States (together with Britain) had signed an armistice with a new Italian Government headed by King Victor Emanuel...
...What I cannot quite understand is the tendency of our "left liberals" to discriminate in favor of the Soviets on almost every occasion—to apply the microscope to everything our own government does and to put on rose-colored glasses when looking at everything the Soviet Government is doing or is planning to do...
...Without hesitating a moment, ho replied that in spite of his youth the King displayed a lot of courage and political maturity...
...When the Rumanian emissaries in Cairo had informed Allied representatives that Rumania was ready to accept Soviet terms, it was agreed that Michael himself would carry out the coup on August 26 and that the Allied Air -Force would bomb Bucharest on that day but would take care that no bombs fell on the Royal Palace...
...I should like again to ask our "left" liberals: Why were they storming in righteous anger last year when Washington had deemed it expedient to "overlook for a time" the democratic principle in Italy and why art they so conspicuously silent when the Soviet Government is doing exactly the same thing in Rumania today ? How come that our "liberals on the left" show no inclination to trust the United States Government in a maneuver of "real politik" in North Africa and Italy, while displaying such implicit faith in tl e Soviet (iovernment's "real politik" in Finland, Yugoslavia end Rumania ? International Finance and War By Jerry Voorhis ONE of the most fruitful causes of war throughout the centuries has been the operation of international finance...
...that even the anti-Jewish lawn in effect there would not be abrogated...
...Soviet propaganda consistently stressed a reassurance by Molotov that Russia would respect Rumanian independence and integrity...
...For if the proposed Bank of Reconstruction and Development becomes a reality, it would be possible, for example, for China (instead of having to come on bended knee to private financiers in London, New York or Tokyo) to present her case for a loan for the development of electric power in China to representatives of the governments of nations managing the affairs of the Bank for Reconstruction and Development...
...The farms between the Soviets and the King war* agreed upon in those secret parleys...
...Unless this were done by our country, the whole proposal would, in my opinion, fail of its objectives...
...The article was written by Andre Visson, a reputable journalist and an expert in European politics...
...both turned over the country to the brutal lawlessness of the native fascist elements...
...The Soviet Government was strongly opposed to King Peter of Yugoslavia so long as he supported General Mikhailovitch...
...However, it doe* appear that if this Fund operate* mcceufuUy, it thould render it imponible in the future for international private banker* to manipulate tit' currencie* of nation* by purchasing and telling the precious metals, or in any other maimer, inch a* ha* happened in the pa»t with tuck dUaitrou* effect...
...The Soviets have signed an armistice with young King Michael, whose record with regard to Naiism and cooperation with Hitler surely was equal to Victor Emanuel's support of Mussolini for 21 years...
...If any set of rulers is willing to offer favorable terms and concessions, Soviet Russia is ready to do business with them and give them recognition...
...This is of course to the good, but the requirement that currencies be given a par value in terms of gold rather thsn in basic commodities is one of which I am, frankly, somewhat fearful...
...The British replied that they would den ¦itely object, and that they wore shocked at the inqairy...
...Visson: "A while ago, Soviet diplomats would object to the restoration of King Carol to the Rumanian throne...
...No one nation would stand behind such a loan, since it would be guaranteed by the nations jointly through the International Bank of Reconstruction and Development...
...A similar reply csme from Washington...
...So far as I can see, its acceptance by the nations would impose on none of them any necessity for adoption of the gold standard or the maintenance of any particular type of reserves behind their money...
...It would mean that the loan would be made only upon the condition that the money would be tpent for tome purpose that would actually improve the productive capacity of China and better her general economic condition...
...Since this dispatch was passed by the Soviet censor wa need hardly doubt its authenticity...
...They apply a sharp and critical yardstick to everything done by their own government but find no blemishes on the Soviet sun...
...In all candor, I do not find fault with our liberals "on the left" for their ultra-critical attitude toward their government...
...Over and over these loans have been made on such conditions that the sovereignty of the borrowing nation was seriously impaired...
...ThERE has been another incident which brings out this contrast in sharp relief...
...We have seen this in Yugoslavia, in Italy, in Finland, and now in Rumania...
...When, however, the King turned away from Mikhailovitch and recognised Marshal Tito, the Soviets forgot their opposition to Peter and monarchism...
...J am ready to concede their right to eye critically the conduct of ttheir government, as a primary prerogetive of wide-awake citisenship...
...e EiVEN more sensational are the details told about this same story by the Moscow correspondent of the New York Timet...
...The Double Standard A Few Questions to Our "Left Liberals By Harry Rogoff '. Jewish Dailu FormmrJ MORE than once, I have had the occasion to point out that our "left" liberals treat the Soviet Government quite differently than their own elected administrators...
Vol. 27 • October 1944 • No. 42
