Evening star., 1937-09-10

struggle in Spain
which is the root
of the trouble in
Europe. Certainly the fundamental
cleavage between fascism and COM
munism or between democracies and
relationships is not due to the muni-
tions makers of the United States.
Also it can hardly be argued that
the Chinese and japanese have come
to grips just to satisfy the mercenary
instincts of the American makers of
munitions.
Yet lot of words have been printed
and the emotions of good citizens
everywhere have been preyed upon by
the publicists and legislators who have
been insisting that the way to stop
war and save our boys from premature
graves was simply to stop the NUM-
tons makers from starting all the
wars.
''Debunked BY Events"
Today those views stand debunked
by events. Many people will accept
a good deal of delusion for a long
time but in the end truth begins to
tell an opposite tale. Looking back
now on the persons who went so far
even as to malign the memory of
President Woodrow Wilson by imply
Ing that he yielded to the influence
OF material interests in America in
going to war with Germany in 1917,
1t is plain that the dilemma faced by
him was not very different from that
which may confront any other Amer
lean President when events beyond
our own control endanger American
interests abroad.
Facilities for the evacuation of
Americans in the Far East are today
lacking. The American Government
has failed miserably in providing
means of evacuation or protection for
the ships that are supposed to carry
refugees. The passenger ships flying
the American flag and endeavoring
10 transport refugees have not been
given any naval protection. In the
face OF these unhappy circumstances
the proposition that the 5000 Ameri-
can citizens be turned over to the
even as they fee their homes is one
OF the most shameful chapters in the
history Of the United States.
Commanding Respect.
Time was when an American Gov
eminent commanded respect suf-
ncient to demand successfully that
opportunity be given to evacuate its
IL A1
would not be necessary, as it is being
contended by some administration
spokesmen, for the United States to
send a big feet to the Far East to
protect American nationals. Japan
knows it Is important for her to
retain American friendship and
American financial credits. A sharp
demand from the United States Gov
ernment to both the japanese and
Chinese governments backed UP by a
joint demand from Britain and France
and the combining, II necessary. of
the American, British and French
fleets would be very effective way to
insure protection for American citi-
pens without firing a shot. The two
Far Eastern powers have too much
to lose by ignoring a demand from
the British, French and American
governments.
But what about furnishing the
munitions makers? And who are the
munitions makers? For the last two
years Japan has been buying a lot
OF scrap iron and lots Of cotton and
other materials used in making mu-
nluons. The "munition makers" have
peen making money for a long time
long before the war broke out. Our
trade with the Far East has been
growing steadily. American farmers
are among the benefciaries of this
war trade 1t would be difficult to
segregate the American citizens who
have been directly and indirectly
prof1ting by these military prepara-
tons. All the lumbermen who fur
nished the fine wood for the pro-
pellers of the airplanes, all the manu.
featuring companies which make en-
eines and parts, all the professors
who take products from the soil to
be used in making implements of
war are indirectly involved, and not
Just the companies that happen to
make the finished product in the
form Of guns or ships. As matter
OF fact. the Japanese make their own
munitions. though they do get neces-
sary materials for many essential
products from us.
Hard to Blame Munitions Makers
IL would be interesting 10 find to-
day single person inside or outside
OF official life who could prove that
the present war situation is traceable
to munitions makers or their alleged
effort to make profits out Of wars
Like many bit OF demagoeuerv
the charge that munitions makers
produce wars has been swallowed bv
lots OF people, but today they do not
seem to be able to point out the
culprits who for the sake of material
profit have put a war scare on
throughout the world.
The stock market has been Drop
ping. American business has been a
bit nervous, and the threats of war