Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-08-16

What is neutrality, and how far should
the United States go In enacting laws
to maintain that neutrality In the event
of war between nations with which this
Government is on friendly terms? That
is the many sided question with which
Congress has been struggling during the
present session. The Munitions Investi-
eating Committee, of which Senator
Nye of North Dakota is chairman, has
been the spearhead in the attack on this
complicated problem. The various bills
and resolutions which have been intro
duced have been largely the outcome of
that committees efforts: in fact, most
Of the measures proposed have been pre-
scented by members Of that committee.
What final action, if any. will be taken
at this session is still problematical. Con-
sideration of one bill. that taking the
profits out of war, already has been post
poned by the Finance Committee until
next session, while several others now
under the aegis of the Foreign Relations
Committee probably will be presented IN
some modified and consolidated form
next week 1t will not, however, be the
final say" on the problem Of neutrality.
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Experienced politicians here cannot
recall any suggestion in the whole his
tory of American politics quite as orig
inal and unique as that of Col. Frank
Knox Of Chicago, prominently men,
toned for the Republican presidential
nomination, who proposes to steal the
thunder" from the Democratic partys
platform of 1882 by literal incorpora-
ton of a number Of its planks in the
platform of his own party next year.
1t is considered by many that this would
be a boomerang which might prove ef-
fective in turning the guns on the
enemy" At present, with the rising price
of pork. particular attention is called to
the Democratic plank which declared
opposition to the unsound practice of
restricting agricultural production" They
say that pork may well become an issue
and the pig an emblem in the coming
campaign.
Modern invention has brought Wash
ington into close contact with the rest
of the country in countless ways. Radio.
the telephone, electric transmission and
many other devices permit Government
ofTicials, from the President down, to
local and sectional functions as If they
were actually present in person. Presi-
dent Roosevelt next Wednesday. for in
stance, will establish this personal
touch" with q group assembled In Ten
nessee to witness the opening OF the
new Cummings Highway around Look
out Mountain from Nashville to Knox
vile. Sitting at his desk in the White
House, the President will press q button
which will open the highway and thus
make known in q realistic fashion 10
the thousands gathered at the other
end Of the electric line his actual par
ticipation In the ceremony.
The visit of Andre de Laboulaye,
Ambassador of France, to Boston this
week to present to Cardinal O'Connel
the grand cross of the Legion Of Honor,
revealed the fact that Pope Plus is
making efforts to have all cardinals
placed in q category equal in rank to
that which he himself occupies, where
only the highest decoration Of any order
can be conferred. At present this dis
tinction Is reserved for potentates and
princes Of the blood" potential heirs
to the throne. The Pope bases his plea