Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1932-11-11
EARLY ACTION DUE
ON FOREIGN POLICY
Roosevelt to Rush Decision,
Enabling Stimson to
Aid Successor.
BY CONSTANTINE BROWN.

According to reliable reports from
Albany, PreSident-e,ect Roosevelt, real
lzing how important it is that Amer
lcas foreign affairs should not suffer
in the transition period between cleo
tons and Inauguration, is seriously
studying the question of designating
at earliest possible moment his future
Secretary of State. The statement OF
Secretary of State Stimson, last We'd
nesday. indicating that he will be only
too happy to cooperate with the Sec
rotary designate and decide in common
with him on Americas stand on the
various vital international questions
which are coming up in the course OF
the mex, few weeks, IS sad 10 nave
fayorablv impressed Gov. Roosevelt
The work on which Secretary Slim
son has been engaged in the last
IA months is OF such vital ma
tio?cl and international Importance
that any DELAY caused by the four
m1nths separating the election and the
Inauguration of the new Pre1ldent
might have serious reperCusSl onS on the
work of economic reconstruction WnIcn
will take Mr. ROOSeVelt'S full attention.
at least in the first part Of his admin
istration.
Weighty Issues at Stake.
During the last period OF Mr.. Slim
sons tenure Of Office, the following
main questions have arisen:
% The economic conference at
Genera.
~ The reduction Of ornaments
80 The Lytton report.
a. The war debts.
AL these things while apparently
dealing with relations with foreign
countries. are in fact closely connected
with the revival of prosperity.
In accordance with the we'll defined
policies of the Republican party. the
United States made it known that its
delegates will put cotton in Their ears
if any of the delegates of the other
nations intended TO discuss the ques-
ton of tariff rates and debts. 1t was
contonded. however, by economists
that in order to make the Geneva eco
nOmc conference a success. 1t was nee
essary to listen at least to whatever
suggestions the other nations with high
retaIiatcry tariffs may have to make.
Stimson VIII Cooperate.
1t is likely Mr.. Roosevelt may intend
to revise certain tariffs. Should he de-
sire to Go this by bargaining with the
other nations in order 10 obtain the
maximum advantages for the United
states. liz III 1l4lI tCtGLCldAg oIAllISbil
most willing to advise and assist the
Secretary designate in his dealings with
foreign countries While Mr.. StlmSon Is
still constitutiOnally in charge Of Amer
icas foreign affairs. 1t was emphasized
today the other participants to the eco-
nCmic conference are most reluctant to
postpone real discussions until after the
Inauguration of the new American
President
There may not he much change in
the policies of the American Govern
ment regarding the reduction Of arms
conference. But Mr.. Stimson feels that
it would be advantageous to work in
cooperation with the future Secretary
Of State in all the complicated details
of general policy which are about to
break forth IN the conference TO be
held shortly at Geneva.
Lytton Report Coming Up.
IN regard to the Lytton report COM
ing up at Geneva within the next two
weeks the views of the Democratic
party are not generally known, but it
il assumed they are not much different
from those of Mr. StimsOn. 1t is re-
ported that beforc embarking on the
policy outlined by the Secretary of
State in his note to Japan last January,
Mr.. Stimson had consulted not only
Senator Borah, but had discussed the
matter with some of the leading Demo-
Gratis.
1t is deemed essential that the Secre-
tary-designate should be fully cogniZant
and approve of the steps this country
might be forced to take after the
League of Nations commission has
given its verdict, before Mr.. Roosevelt
is inaugurated. Norman Davis, Amer
lean envoy in Europe and a prominent
member of the Democratic party, who
has been frequently mentioned as the
possible next Secretary of State, is in
full agreement with the present policies
OF the State Department.
In regard to the debts question, both
parties nave announced their policy Of
opposing cancellation, but have indi-
Gated their willingness to discuss, under
certain circumstances, a reduction of
I the war debts. The leading nations feel
that the United States may have time
| to postpone the discussions and solution
of these problems, but conditions in the
world generally are so bad that another
delay will cause them irreparable harm.