The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1936-01-09
Waiting
for a Spark

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.
Within few months of % years
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 it may be spark deliberately
cast into that powder keg. ! do not
mean to say that it will happen but
do wish to emphasize that at no time
since the Archduke's assassination has
there been a 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, it, 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 tan
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, I 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 indie
scriptive title of the neutrality policy.
1t is, indeed, just that, but the point I
seek to make is that the title does not
convey by any manner or means it's
full Importance or it's full effect upon
the lives of each of US. If policy can
be worked out, 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. do not know
and do not believe anybody can say
accurately that it is possible to de-
veIop a 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
Keep 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
! nave SohiC SApOilShSC Win thC
| force of that legislation already and
| it 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
| %. Congress has been told rather def
Al &C.
| 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, it 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 a 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
ton while aiding another. Mr. Roose-
velt in accepting the original legis-
he should have such discretionary
power. This was in line with the con-
| illusions of the Department of State
which necessarily must be the Presi-
! dents adviser on matters of this kind.
Congress was criticized in many
quarters when it made the embargoes
applicable to all belligerents. Now,
however, if we may Judge from the
word that comes to Washington, senti-
ment seems to be swinging in the
other direction and there certainly is
a considerable, if not majority, senti-
ment for use of the mandatory provi-
sion as distinguished from the extern
| sion of discretionary authority to the
President. To say it another way. the
making the embargoes applicable to all
belligerent powers and not just to one
nation whose claims our government
may believe to be unjust.
1t is safe to say that before congress
determines definitely what the perma-
| nent policy shall be,
C<PeCt there will be bitter
Hot Debate debate. In examining
| the problem 1t Is to
1e remembered that when the govern
ment lays an embargo against all ma
tons. at war it takes away possibilities
/ of tremendous profit This nrofit ac-