Evening star., 1937-02-02

war Is to restrict -,
the activities of her citizens both with
respect to travel abroad and the SNIP
mont of cargoes destined for belllger-
ent countries.
Opinion Reserved.
While. 20 years ago, American
opinion favored an assertion OF neu-
tral rights as superior to the rights OF
bellieerents, today the situation ap-
pears to be just the reverse. II TWO
or more nations want to have war,
the entire area of ocean around the
globe is to be available to them as
theater of operations. Neutral coun-
tries, hitherto jealous of the freedom
of the seas, now will surrender the
seas gladly and let the belligerents
fight it out as they please.
To accomplish this. American cltl-
Eens are to be forbidden to travel
either on any ships entering war zones
or on any ships owned by countries
which are at war. Likewise, Amerl-
can cargoes are to be transported over
seas at the risk of the shipper and the
United States Government ceases all
diplomatic protection at the seashore.
This is what is known as the cash
and carry" plan. Foreign govern
ments at war would send their own
ships to our harbors, pay cash for their
purchases and carry them away at
their own risk. At least this is the
purport of the proposed legislation,
which has very good chance of
passage.
Other Causes May Arise.
Had such laws been in effect 20
years ago, the immediate causes OF
American entry into the European
conflict might possibly have been
avoided, though there is no assurance
that other causes would not have
arisen or would not arise today under
similar circumstances.
Thus, for instance. the main object
of the unrestricted submarine warfare
proclaimed by the German admiralty
early in 1917 was to prevent cargo
ships, carrying munitions and supplies
to the allied countries, from reaching
their ports. The German strategists
felt that even the occasional d7struc-
ton Of vessels flying the American
flag was worth risking in order to
interrupt. if possible, the line Of sup
plies from American arsenals and food
granaries.
Today, in the event Of the outbreak
of war, assuming the same set of bel
ligerents as in 1917, the objective
would likewise be to break up the line
of communications from America to
Europe. The possession by one set of
allies Of a powerful navy would, of
course, mean an uninterrupted line Of
cash-and-carry steamships of their
own bringing supplies to European
base. Since the attack can be made
now by submarines Of large cruising
radius, efforts would no doubt be con-
centrated on torpedoing those ships
which were engaged in the American
trade. So far, so good. The more
powerful navy of the belligerentS
would dominate the situation.
Planes May Raid Ports.
But when it was apparent that such
steps were ineffective, the airplane
WOulU CUlIIe llllO dCIlOll-OI pOSSlUly
the Zeppelins, protected by airplanes.
An air raid on an American port where
ships were being loaded with CASH
and-carry cargoes would be the next
objective Of the naval air strategists.
Nonstop flights from Europe to the
United States are today believed to be
impracticable, except as a stunt, but,
II the only way to prevent the Amer
lean people from siding, in effect, with
the nation which has the more power
full navy is for belligerent to plan an
air attack, it would not be surprising
If the technical men were soon con-
centrated on developing the needed
implements of such warfare. Neces-
sity is the mother Of invention In war
more than at any other time.
For the moment, however, the CASH
and-carry plan looks to Legislators
here like the easiest way to keep
America out Of foreign ENHANCEMENT.