Evening star., 1937-12-20

One of the current phenomena in
Washington Is the Kaleidoscope change
In anti-war sentiment. Ten days ago
the peace-at-any-price atmosphere was
all pervasive and apparently invincible.
Even the "shock and concern" which
the bombing of the Panay aroused, to
quote President Roosevelt's words, did
not materially affect the view that war
must be averted at all costs. As evidence
piled up that Americans were machine
gurned by Japanese troops after the
gunboat was sunk by air fire, pacifism be-
gan to evaporate like dew in the morning
sun. On every hand one encountered
the thought that if the Ludlow war
referendum were before the country to-
day, the chances would be at least even
that the verdict would be for war Should
reports of japanese "frightfulness" be
amplif1ed. the prediction was ventured
that q pro-war referendum majority
would be altogether likely. Such ad-
missions are forthcoming from persons
who are almost incorrigibly anti-war,
but acknowledge that late Panay news,
coupled with Japans refusal to close the
incident promptly and adequately, makes
1t difficult even for pacifists to oppose
vigorous measures of protest, or even
of reprisal.
II and when the United States de-
termines to start the feet across the
Pacif1c-for demonstration, not war, pur-
poses-the ships will undoubtedly get
under way, without fuss or feathers,
certainly without advance broadcasting
Of the cruise. Official denials of any
such plans are taken with q grain OF
salt. Projects to send the fleet at least
as far as Hawaii have been under in
formal discussion for weeks. Suggestions
that 1t go to the Philippines did not
meet with so much support as the idea
to make Pearl Harbor the destination.
Some OF our foremost authorities, who
know their Japanese onions, are per-
suaded that the armada's arrival in
mid-Pacif1c would suffice to bring Toxic
to its senses, as far as tampering with
American rights is concerned.
President Roosevelt and Secretary Hull
may be relied upon to avoid entangiing
commitments with Great Britain in
any Far Eastern developments. The
Secretary of State epitomized admins
tration policy the other day when he
indicated that while Uncle Sam and
John Bull are pursuing parallel OBJ
jectives, Washington will exercise inde-
pendent judgment on all occasions. 1t
Violates no state secret to say that the
responsible conductors of our foreign
policy deprecate, at this critical juncture,
the constant harping on the British
chestnuts" wheeze, which imputes to
Downing street diabolical plot to
pull the wool over American eyes. The
cold truth is that In any action, this
country might eventually take to curb
Japan, the fullest possible British CO.
operation is Indispensable It is virtually
condition precedent. Our Navy would
not shrink, If it had to, from trying
conclusions with Japan. But the ad-
vantage OF British support, especially
the use OF Hong Kong and Singapore
as bases, Is so obvious that it requires
no argument. No one understands this
better than the sailor minded states
man now President Of the United States.
just about the time of the Panay out
rage, the Navy Department was scruti-
niztng circumstantial reports from au-
thoritative Italian quarters that Japan is
building three monster battleships larger
than any now afioat. They are de-.
scribed as 46,0O0-tonners, armed with
sixteen-inch guns, and are said to be
under construction in Japanese yards, in
addition to sixty-three other men-of-
war, building or projected The latter
include tive aircraft carriers, seven light
cruisers, forty three destroyers and eight
submarines. When the naval Limitation
treaties expired year ago, Japan had
about 400 shipA with aggregate dis.