Evening star., 1935-10-04

Addressing the National Democratic
Council-militant New Deal political
club in Washington-Secreta of Com
merce Roper recalled the other day that
the grave international situation strikes
President Roosevelt in midStream, much
the same as the World War came along
about the time woodrow wilson's new
freedom" was swinging into action. Mr.
Roper did not suggest that the United
States is likely again to be embroiled
in complications overseas. He confined
himself to noting the coincidence that
external affairs may plague President
Roosevelt much as they hampered his
Democratic predecessor and, as in the
case Of Mr.. Wilson, possibly compel F.
d. r. to divert attention from domestic
affairs to questions raised by European
hostilities. however remote the danger
OF our Involvement. The Commerce
cabinet officer left implanted in the
minds Of some of his hearers the
thought that history might repeat itself
and cause slackening Of plans for the
more abundant life"
Maj. Gen. Malin Craig, newly ap-
pointed chief of staff of the United
States Army, stood fifth on the list of
officers eligible for appointment to the
blue ribbon military post. Apart from
his eminent qualifications. Gen. Craig
Is young enough to serve roundly a full
four-year tour of duty before retirement
age In 1899. When Secretary of War
Dern recently went to the Philippines,
it was understood that Gen. MacArthurs
successor would not be named until later
in the year. Possibly because of inter-
national developments, the President de-
cided to fill the place at once. Gen.
Craig'S appointment is popular through
out the Army. He shares q couple of
things in common with Gen. Pershing.
They were both born in Missouri and
each achieved the coveted West Point
honor of becoming first captain of
cadets. Craig shone in academy ath-
letics as a star pitcher. He has a lively
sense of humor and is a capital story.
teller. One of the new chiefs out
standing traits is respect for superiors,
combined with q rugged interest in the
welfare Of subordinates.
Addressing the Army Ordnance Asso-
ciation here this week, Bernard M.
Baruch, chairman of the World War In
dustries Board. made pointed references
to perils that threaten the United States
in connection with foreign wars be-
cause of the foodstuffs and raw mate
rials with which this country could
supply belligerents. He describes the
difficulties attendant upon our present
adventure into neutrality" as almost
insurmountable," because wars nowadays
ARE entirely economic in their origin,
and the economic motive sometimes
works two ways-internally and ex-
ternally." The statuesque, white crowned
New Yorker favors every possible effort
to prevent our being mixed-up in over
seas hostilities. He would take the profit
out of war, but, in eliminating profit,
warns that 1--WE must be careful not to
eliminate our own actual defenSes."
Soviet Ambassador Troyanovsky will
be the guest of honor at q dinner in
New York on November 10, given by the
American Committee for Settlement Of
Jews in Birobidjan, Siberia. The COM
mittee recently sent delegation to
Moscow to discuss the autdnomous terri
tory which the U. s. 8. r. Is setting up
for Jewish colonists, In which they will
be able to lead q collective life, foster
their own language and maintain other
Jewish institutions. Although Birobidjan
is not intended to compete with Pales-
tine, promoters of the project hope it
will attract large numbers Of oppressed
European Jews who hav6 hitherto looked