Evening star., 1936-01-04
American Neutrality.

In his message to Congress President
Roosevelt is brief but specific on the
subject of neutrality. He sets forth that
"as a clear policy, the United States is
following twofold neutrality toward any
and all nations which engage in wars not
In the first instance, this country re-
fuses to encourage war by selling arms,
munitions or other implements of COM
bat to belligerents. In addition, it seeks
to discourage the supplying of any and
all American products designed to IA
cilitate hostilities in quantities over and
above normal exports in time of peace.
Bills embodying the administrations
views have already been presented in
both Houses. They confront protracted
discussion and possibly bitter controversy.
Differences range around the extent to
which the executive should have dis
cretionary authority in imposition of
embargoes of goods that are not actual
implements" of war. There is strong
sentiment in Congress for making neu-
trality regulations mandatory as the only
absolutely certain method of guarantee
ing the United States against embroil-
ment in complications beyond our shores.
AS now formulated the neutrality pro-
posalS contemplate, in the view of many
authorities, abandonment of the historic
American doctrine of the freedom of the
seas. There is sure to be animated con-
sideration of that phase of the problem
before final action is taken to supplant
the provisional neutrality law expiring
in February. National sentiment is vir-
tually unit in demanding action calcu-
lated to make as certain as humanity
possible that under no circumstances
shall war trade or war loans ever again
cause the United States to become in
volved in overseas conflict.
Mr.. Roosevelt's forecast of American
neutrality policy appears to have had a
prompt repercusSion in European quar-
ters concerned with sanctions, especially
an oil embargo, against Italy. If the
President had declared for a complete
ban on oil exports, the hand of the
Geneva powers would undoubtedly have
been forced in the same direction. The
British and French would have been
robbed of the argument that American
failure to cooperate made it impossible
to take such action. AS long as the
United States is willing to continue nor
NAL peace-time exports, League oil sane
tions become unlikely. Russia and Ru-
mania, which, with this country, are
Italys largest suppliers of petroleum, will
hardly sacrifice their trade while Amer
ican companies do business as usual.
Anglo Iranian oil interests are sure to
take the same view.
Vigorous and justified as criticism of
many of Mr.. Roosevelt's viewpoints on
domestic affairs is, little disagreement is
likely respecting his foreign policy.
Americas inescapable role in fresh era
of war precipitated by aggressive regimes
is aptly defined by the President as "a
well-ordered neutrality" which shall "do
naught to encourage contest" and
which, through adequate defense. shall
save ourselves from embodiment and
attack" while we do our utmost to per-
suade others to return to the ways of
peace and good will" That is doctrine
to which the American people, ire
Spective of political affiliations, can
Fundamentally subscribe.