Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1936-01-09
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National Topics Interpreted N @9a@@&9
by William Bruckart UlMglsM
Washington, D. C. AS$lASII1T1t

be remembered, that
waiting Archduke Ferdinand
for a Shark was laid low by an
assasSin'S bullet in
remote province of Austria. At the
time, the assassination was front page
news for most of the newspapers but
its real import was not generally recog-
nized. Nevertheless, from that incident
sprang the greatest war the world has
ever known.
after the assassination at Sarajevo the
world sees a situation in Europe where
another such incident would have con-
sequences just as violent. At the pres
ent time, ammunition dumps all over
Europe are waiting for spark to set
them off. 1t may be an accidental
spark or 1t may be spark deliberately
cast into that powder key. do not
mean to say that it will happen but I
do wish to emphasize that at no time
since the Archduke's assassination has
there been field so fertile for the pro-
motion of gigantic war as the present.
1t may seem, and it undoubtedly does
seem to many, that the dangers in
herent in the European situation at
present are afar off. But, 1t can be
recalled that there were those in this
country who, as late as 1916, said the
European war was 5000 miles away.
Before it ended, however, 100000
American boys and young men had
been drafted to be thrown into that
European cauldron. 1t may happen
again.
While there is no immediate posi-
bility of the United States getting tam
gled up in the European political prob
lens which spring from hostilities be-
tween Ethiopia and Italy, those who
know history cannot fail to agree with
the statement that it is never too early
to plan for preventing war. For that
reason, then, 1 believe almost every
family in the United States has
stake, either directly or indirectly, in
one Of the problems with which con-
gress must deal. This legislation is
known by the short and rather inde-
scriptive title of the neutrality policy.
1t is, indeed, just that, but the point
seek to make is that the title does not
convey by any manner or means its
full Importance or its full effect upon
the lives Of each Of us. If a policy can
be worked out, a policy that is effec-
tive, obviously our chances for remain
ing out of any hostilities in Europe
or in Asia for that matter-are GER
tainly much better. 1 do not know
and l do not believe anybody can say
accurately that it is possible to de-
velOp neutrality policy that will be
fool-proof; or that will guarantee to
us the removal of possible entangle-
ments, or that will prevent us from
stubbing our toes and falling into the
midst Of the mess. 1t seems to me,
however, that we ought to try.
A year ago about this time, congress
enacted a bill which was designed to
prevent the shipment
NeeP Us of war materials to
Out of War any belligerent ma
ton or nations. 1t
was mandatory. The President was d.
rected by congress to lay an embargo
against the shipment of arms, ammu-
milton Of war to any countries engaged
in hostilities regardless of whether
their claims were right or wrong. We
have had some experience with the
force of that legislation already and
1t has not been without it's embarrass-
ing and difficult phases. Now, how
ever, it is proposed to revamp that
legislation which was admittedly of a
temporary character and is due to ex-
pire by limitation of law on February
20. Congress has been told rather def
initely, think, that this country wants
to remain out of someone else's war.
The President has the same idea. So.
instead of allowing our citizens to run
wild, ship anything and everything,
make contracts with the countries now
engaged in war or those that may be
engaged later, 1t is proposed that we
have permanent policy embodying
whatever principles may be found
wisest to protect us from ourselves and
prevent us from throwing ourselves
again into such volcano of molten
lava as any present-day war would be-
The problem is not as simple as It
appears on the surface. When congress
enacted the present temporary neu-
trality legislation, it provided that the
embargOes, when and If laid must ap-
ply to all. 1t gave the President no
discretionary power to determine
whether we wanted to use these en-
bargoes as a weapon against one ma
tlon while aiding another. Mr.. Roose-
welt, in accepting the original legis-
lation, said publicly that he believed
he should have such discretionary
power This was in line with the con-
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