Evening star., 1937-10-17
BY CONSTANTINE BROWN.

{ W
- Uncle Sans top hat into the
international mud pool on
4 October S. The suddenness
and the violence Of his gesture reused
the statesmen in Toxic Moscow, Paris,
London, Rome and Berlin; to say
nothing OF those gathered at Geneva
TO "deprecate, condemn" and express
sorrow" for the aggressive moves of
certain nations.
Toxic was taken aback. It's leaders
had lately become convinced that the
United States could be counted on to
remain neutral regardless of what
happened In other parts of the world
True enough, diplomatic agents had
reported from Washington that the
American Government might make a
spectacular move in the near future.
They had reason to believe this be-
cause in recent weeks Secretary Hull
mad dropped all pretense of diplomacy
ana had spoken to Ambassador Saito
and his counSelors like Dutch uncle.
But Toxic interpreted MIR. Hulrs frank
talking as diplomatic bluff Just an
other Stimson," said the heads of the
army clique and paid no more atten-
ton to the Secretary of States per-
sonal representations than to his Off
clal notes. THE American admin
lstration may have heroic intentions.
they observed, "but they will never be
followed by the Nation
But when the Presidents speech of
october did not bring forth an
avalanche of protests, Toxic began to
worry and to complain bitterly tha.
the one nation they hoped had fully
understood the pacific policy of Japan
IN Asia had now shown a remarkable
lack OF comprehension. American
statesmen are short-sighted. the Japa-
nese diplomats explained. They refuse
TO recognize that it is China which
mas broken treaties and agreements
Japan, pompously announced the for
elgn ofhce, has no territorial aspira-
tlons; 1t merely wants to teach Chang
kai-shek that international agree
ments must be respected.
What VIII Senate Saw?
In france, the Presidents speech
was received with moderate enthusi-
asm and with typical Gallo circum-
spection. TITS all very fine" was the
comment behind the scenes. "but what
VIII the Senate say? Let's accept this
speech with reservations because ex-
perlence has shown us that Presidents
OF the United States are sometimes
overruled by their Congress. The
shadow OF Woodrow Wilson is still
hoVerlng over the Quai d'Orsav.
There is no doubt that the Chicooo
speech injected new energy into tho
French masses. They are once more
looking hopefully across the Atlantic
But the government is not so opti-
n1istic.
London hailed Mr.. Roosevelts clarion
can with genuine enthusiasm. The
fIeSloents speech has tangible sig
nlf1cance to Downing Street and the
admiralty. 1t means that hencefortb
they can concentrate their efforts on
tne European situation leaving the
Far Eastern affairs to the care of
Uncle Sam. The nine-power treaty
Will shortly be invoked. The sigma
tories will gather in conference. pre-
sumably without Japan, t. consult"
Moral Backing for u. S.
IL Is unlikely that Portugal or Bel
elum will be called upon to restore
Chmas integrity. France. Great
Britain and Holland will decide to
adopt certain measures to cone with
the situation, and will give the United
states all the moral backing in the
: world for enforcing these measures
The French and the British govern
ments are ready to throw open their
naval bases at Singapore and Saigon.
and to order their new units in the
Paclflc to Cooperate with the United
States men-of-war.
There were three factors which led
the Presidents encourage to expect
the sensational statement made at
Chicago:
l. The realization that the occupa-
tlon OF the richest part of China bv
the japanese would be prejudicial to
Americas vital economic interests.
z. The recognition that the exist
ing international confusion was due
70 the weakness of the Western
democracies, which were cowed by the
military demonstration and the ap-
parent determination of the dictators
to hight. Mr., Roosevelt and his ad-
VlseH concluded that if a powerful
democracy like the United States
showed the same determination as
' the bellicose nations, there would be
no war. The bluff of Mussolini, Hitler
and the japanese military would be
called and the much-longed- for con-
ference for the reorganization of the
world on a peaceful basis would be
possible. The threat of good spank
ing frequently makes a rambunctious
child obedient. And that is what the
President had in mind.
3. Should the warnings and the
political preparations for the enforce
ment OF existing treaties fail to i'm
press the outlaws" Mr. Roosevelt Is
contemplating the effectiveness of a
parade OF the United States Navy.
The ghost Of the other Roosevelt is
disturbing the Presidents Sleep. He
remembers that in 1907, when the re-
lations between this country and Japan
were strained, Teddy" sent the fleet,
successfully, on fiag-showing trip
around the world, with Japan as the
hrst stop. Outside of the fact that
there Is now also a Roosevelt in the
White House, there Is no parallel be-
tween the present situation and that
Of 80 years ago.
Not Thinking in War Terms.
For the time being, the administra-
ton In Washington is not thinking in
terms Of war-it has merely adopted
. strong attitude in the hope that
such policy would deter the war
minded nations from participating In
an international connagration.
RiRhtlY or wrongly the President