Evening star., 1936-02-10

fully. 1t was fully expected that the
conference would devolve around that
British fort dominating the entrance
to the Mediterranean.
At that very time, also, the Italian
press was telling its public what bad
lot the British are Mussolini was
briStling with daily threats from Rome.
You could haue foored the dele
gates ipith a blue print battleship
Uhen British and italian delegates
n,oued arm in arm to uDoid conflict
about Gibraltar and, in tact, about
everything.
No one even got excited when the
Japanese withdrew. Every one seemed
to realize that the japanese govern
ment was acting for domestic political
effect at home. 1t was trying to i'm
press its people with the idea that it Is
making big nation out Of Japan-on
paper.
That also seemed to explain Italian
press attacks and Mussys bristling.
The recognition of these domestic
political situations created sort of
mutual understanding among the dele
gates. No one previously thought that
Japan would or could try to build up
to United States equality. and there
was less war talk in London thana in
Washington.
Dirty Work Done Elsewhere.
DO not, however, make much out of
this. There are reasons for believing
that Europe has gone back to the old
diplomatic method of secret treaties.
This trend lately has been strong.
Secret treaties are not mentioned at
international conferences Such gath
erings these days amount to little
more than international cocktail
parties. The dirty work is done else
where.
Since the story got out about Presi-
dent Roosevelt ignoring his congress
sional leaders, several Of them have
been invited in the side door OF the
White House for lunch. These visits
have not been publicly recorded-in
fact. rather extensive secrecy precau-
tions were taken.
Nevertheless, the inside doorman at
the east entrance noticed Speaker
Byrns tip-toeing in few days ago,
and others came individually at an
other time.
The purpose seems to be to quiet
congressional resentment. Also to
effectuate common understanding
about what will be done before any
thing is attempted publicly.
Note-Presidentia advisers Mould
not be at all surprised If Mr.. RooSe-
pelt neglected to send tar mes
sage to Congress, and permitted the
recommendation to come rom
Messrs. Wallace and DdUts. 1t is
not considered necessary to stress
such q distasteful subject as tGres.
As you may haze heard, this is q
campaign year.
The New Dealers trudged out of that
spending curtailment conference at
the White House. their faces register
ing deep chagrin,> - but without any
sound effects whatsoever.
Youth-saver Aubrey Williams told
inquirers he did not know how much
he could say. Some one asked him
whether he meant "say" or save"
He responded both, and ran for the
door.
Saving Up to "the Chief"
Resettler Tugwell said the saving
was all up to "the chief" Some
one asked him whether he and his
cohorts we're mice or men. He an
swered: mice, by solly," and escaped
through the same hole.
Other conferees pleaded that mat
tiers were still in the conversational
stage" but they would offer no con-
versation.
Not only from this incident. but
from others, 1t is evident that the emf
nent New Deal trapshooters have
been advised what to do with their
traps. For the time being. at least,
the New Deal is being acted out in
This is q radical depart
ure.