Evening star., 1935-03-22

Although President Roosevelt in
dicateS that the United States atti-
tude in the German rearmament crisis
will be confined to a good neighbor, "
hands-off policy, there are those who
believe that sooner or later some kind
Of American remonstrance will be
Forthcoming. Shorty after his elec-
ton and before his Inauguration there
was attributed to Mr. Roosevelt a
statement that the sanctity of treaties
is the corner stone of international
relations. AS that is the issue specif-
ically at stake between Germany and
the Versailles treaty powers, President
Roosevelt would be on consistent
ground in protesting against the
Reich's reversion to militarism in de-
fiance Of covenanted pledges. In re-
framing from action, F. D. r. un-
doubtedly reflects overwhelming Amer
ican public opinion. 1t would require
provocation of the most overt sort
to generate enthusiasm for any fur
ther intervention in European affairs.
Objection to violation of the Versailles
military clauses, which are part and
parcel of our separate peace treaty
with Germany, would, nevertheless,
be in line not only with our resent
ment Of Japan's violation Of the nine
power treaty in China, but also be
consistent with the protest we made
to Germany last year against her dis
elimination in favor of certain for
eign creditors.
X X
Col. Louis Howe's grave illness COIN
cides with the 25th anniversary OF
his first acquaintance with Mr.. Roose-
welt. They met in 1910, when the
President became New York State
Senator from Dutchess County. Col.
Howe at the time was Albany cor
respondent of the old New York
Herald and Telegram. Howe man
aged the young Hyde Park politicians
campaign for reelection to the Senate
and gave up newspaper work to be-
come his private secretary when Mr..
Roosevelt was appointed Assistant
Secretary of the Navy in 1913. Thence
forward they were inseparable COM
rades. Upon no one has Mr.. Roose-
welt ever depended so much for po-
litical counsel and guidance. Both the
President and the First Lady long ago
came to look upon the shrewd and
unobtrusive colonel as a member OF
the family. He lived as such at the
executive mansion in Albany before
taking up his abode at the White
House in March, 1888. Col. Howe
was born in Indiana, though prac-
tically all of his life has been spent
in the East. His legal residence was
Fall River, Mass.
X X X
Although amendments of minor
Importance, undesired by the admin
istration, were added by the Senate
to the $4,SsO, 100000 work relief
measure, all major changes which the
President opposes, such as reduction
or increase of the lump sum, wage
provisions, etc, have been success
fully warded of. AS the hour OF the
bills passage approaches, the almost
certain outlook Is that Mr.. Roosevelt
so completely commands the situation
that the colossal plan will be written
into law on lines entirely to his liking.
The White House and administration
leaders generally will not breathe cas-
lily until work relief is snugly in har-
bor It is regarded as the key to the
whole recovery legislative situation.
With the prestige that will attach to
its adoption virtually intact, Roose-
veltians feel assured they will have
relatively smooth sailing with all
other measures which they may de-
eide to press to enactment during this
session of Congress.
n
N. r. A!'s travelling q rocky road
through the Senate Finance Commit