Evening star., 1936-08-26

With President Roosevelt speeding
West for his 10 days of conferences
with Governors of the Western States
and for a personal inspection of the
drought -parched area of the United
States, attention was directed by officials
here to the fact that one of the greatest
economic problems which this country
faces today is that of permanent defense
against the devastating ravageS OF such
natural calamities as that which has
afiicted a great portion OF its territory
this year. While the problem OF prompt
relief for the farmers who have been
despoiled of their crops is one which
must be given immediate consideration,
the larger problem, these officials pointed
out, is to evolve plan, if possible, which
will furnish future protection against
the harmful economic influences OF such
widespread and devastating causes. This,
it is admitted will require much careful
study and planning and even if feasible
plan can be devised it will require long
time to put 1t into complete operation.
Oficials here are of the opinion, how
ever, that in view of the eventual saving
to national economy it will be worth
whatever effort may be necessary to
make it an accomplished fact.
Secretary Hull's return to his desk at
the State Department, after reStful
vacation which he spent in the noun
tains OF Virginia, brings to the fore
again this country's relation to the
European situation. With the Spanish
cauldron still boiling and problems aris-
<lo,Ir s1L, In1ia o.
matte handling the American foreign
affairs Office is keeping in closest toucn,
both through it's representatives abroad
and through all other available sources,
with hourly developments in Europe
News of virtual agreement by the Eu-
ropean powers on neutrality in the
Spanish crisis was received here with
a sigh of relief because this action
was looked on as bringing about an
appreciable lessening of the tension
which has prevailed in the internationai
field. No indication has been given as
to any further step by this Government
in connection with its "handS-of1' policy
as voiced in the recent communication
by Acting Secretary Phillips to Amer
ican ofdcials in Spain to maintain an
absolutely neutral position, coupled Win
the expression of belief that all Amer
ican citizens would adhere strictly to
the spirit of this on-intervention policy.
~ X y
Political uncertainty, with constant
changing of currents and doubt as to
the final outcome Of the presidential
vote, still exists in many States, accord
ing to reports being received here. OBJ
servers are Of the opinion that in many
States this uncertainty will continue
almost up to the date Of the elections.
There will be a further shifting OF
votes between now and election time,
it is believed, as a result of speeches
by the various candidates and by other
factors which the voters will take into
consideration in reaching definite de-
cision as to which party they will sup
port These reports show that In spite
of predictions and Of numerous straw
votes and interviews with typical repre-
sentatives Of various groups there are
still large number of voters who have
not made up their minds or who
may change their minds to how they
will vote. This indeterminate vote. 1t
Is pointed out, might easily be sufficient
to change the result in many districts
or States.
80 - - MA