Evening star., 1935-04-11
EYE
u. S. NEUTRALITY
Possible Redrafting Of Pol
icy Creates Stir Here
and Abroad.
BY CONSTANTINE BROWN.

SoINS hIS Dno~Ns
The fact that President Roosevelt
yesterday summoned to the White
House Secretary of State Cordell Hull
to discuss a possible redrafting OF
Americas neutrality policy has caused
stir in diplomatic circles in Wash
ington and in Europe.
Although Mr.. Hull stated after his
conference with the President that
the neutrality discussion was couched
in general terms" and that decisions
were not even attempted" specula-
tion was ripe in diplomatic quarters
as to whether the administration
would attempt to help the Stresa con-
ference by making clear its neutrality
policy at the present time. especially
in regard to the freedom of the seas.
This speculation was due to the fact
that President Roosevelt and Secre-
tary Hull repeatedly have stated that
the only interest this country has in
European affairs is one of a good
neighbor and its principal concern is
in peace and reduction of armaments.
Britain Avoids Commitment.
II was pointed out in diplomatic
quarters that heretofore Great Britain
had refused to commit itself to any
definite policy regarding the reinforce
ment of article 16 of the covenant
of the League of Nations dealing with
penalties against an aggressor, because
sLcn commitment implies blockade.
AS long as the United States has
not made clear its present attitude
regarding its traditional policy of the
freedom of the seas, the British gov
ernment is afraid that the declara-
ton of a blockade in Europe might
involve her in a conflict with this
country. Hence. an elucidation of
Americas policies regarding the pro-
lection of American ships carrying
goods to belligerents or to neutrals
who are neighbors of the belligerents
is essential before Great Britain can
take a definite stand in connection
with the implementation of article Is
of the covenant.
This matter has been studied care
fully by State Department officials
for the last IL months and a COM
plete report has been submitted to
Secretary Hull
The predominant view seems to be
that, in order to keep the United
States out of any foreign entangle-
ments the President ought to have the
. necessary authority to issue procla-
nation withdrawing the protection of
the American flag to ships which are
conveying war materials or raw ma
terials adequate for the manufacture
of arms and ammunitions to the bel
ligerent zones.
This would not mean the placing of
an embargo on the export of American
goods to foreign countries. 1t would
merely mean that such exports will
be placed on a cash and carry" basis
Nations. whether at war or not, would
be permitted to purchase whatever
they want in this country provided the
payment is made in cash and the pur-
chaSeS are carried in bottoms flying
foreign flag.
Traditional Rights Retained.
Such policy, it was stated, would
not abandon the traditional rights of
the American Government to protect
in the future the American sea faring
trade, but would be only an adhoc
measure dealing with a specific situa-
ton and intended to keep this country
out of any possible entanglements in
war-mad world.
1t is uncertain whether the Presi-
Dent will choose this moment to ask
Congress for such powers. Official
quarters familiar with the general
situation think that the time is not
ripe for such move Instead of
keeping America out of trouble, any
gesture on the part of the President
might be interpreted here and abroad
as an intention on the part of this
country to back either faction in
Europe. In view of the uncertain situ-
alton throughout the world, the ad-
ministration is compelled to adopt
hand-to-mouth foreign policy which
has only one definite objective-to
keep America out of foreign entangle-
mpOtS