Evening star., 1937-02-07
BRITISH LEADER SOUNDS
USONNEUTRALITY STAND
Runciman Leaves Washington Con.
vinced Raw Materials May Be Bought
During War, Observer Says.

powers to the President to declare an
embargo on raw materials, when, If
and where Mr.. Roosevelt and his ad-
visers decide it Is necessary.
The new formula naturally pleases
the British. It means that the Ameri-
can markets for raw materials will be
open to the British Empire and her
allies as long as the good will Of the
administration can be preserved. And
although the new neutrality bill can
not be ascribed in any way directly to
British influence. there is no doubt
that the British government has some
powerful arguments as to why raw
materials should be maintained on q
free list at the Presidents pleasure.
First of all, during the conversations
between Mr.. Runciman and Mr.. Hull,
the British cabinet officer pointed out
that while Great Britain is dependent,
indeed, upon American markets for
many raw materials, American in
dustry also depends on the British
markets for three leading staples
rubber, nickel (from Canada) and tin.
With all the necessary diplomatic pre-
cautions, Mr.. Runciman limited that
unless the American markets for raw
materials were kept open to Great
Britain, in the event Of another con-
flagration, the American manufacturer
could 60 and whistle for these three
important raw materials. It may have
been this hint which made some of
the members of the administration
admit that it will take some time be-
fore any trade agreement can be
reached with the ultra-Tory govern
ment of Great Britain.
And while the British government
was making these points as plain as
possible in Washington, British ennis
saries have been endeavoring to rouse
an appetite for war profits among the
producers of raw materials necessary
for the prosecution of war in Europe.
People are being told that current
rumors of European nations having
no more money to make important
purchases in the United States grossly
exaggerate the real situation.
These unofficial spokesmen of the
British government point out that
500, 100000 of British and French in
vestments which could be turned into
cold cash whenever necessary to pay
for any eventual purchases. And they
add it would be pity if the American
farmer or miner were to forfeit such
a handsome sum.
Consequently neither Mr.. Runciman
nor the British foreign Office was alto
gether surprised on learning that the
administration supported the Pittman
neutrality bill which will enable those
nations with a powerful navy and a
fair reserve of gold or dollars to satisfy
their needs in the United States in the
eventuality of another world conflict.
It was with equal satisfaction that
Mr.. Runciman was able to tip of his
government that the Congress Of the
United States and the administration
need not be expected to advocate a
cut-and- dried neutrality policy, al
though a number Of Senators and an
important section of public opinion
In this country had demanded it a
few weeks ago during the height of the
Spanish crisis.
Intent of Runciman.
If the President is so anxious to be
given discretionary powers, the reason
is that he wants to keep the rest of the
world guessing as to what we may do
in the event of another world war.
Not that anybody in the administra-
tion has the slightest intention or de-
sire to get the United States entan-
gled in a compromise with certain
European nations, or groups of ma
tions. But Runciman thought he could
gather from his talks with the Presi-
dent and Secretary Hull that the
United States, with important in
terests all over the world, Is reluctant
to show its hand by definite an
nouncement that whatever may hap
pen this country will remain neutral.
Runciman has been as candid with
the members of the administration in
Washington as any British politician
can be. He re-emphasized Great
Britain's desire for peace and played
second fiddle to Secretary Hull's pet
theory that international trade agree
ments are the only solution toward the
resettlement Of the world on a per-
manent peace basis. Theoretically, of
course, he said, there is nothing like
restoration of International trade to
take the minds of the people of wars
and conquests. But in the particular
case of a trade agreement between
this country and Great Britain, it
would be better to give the matter
more thorough consideration.
And when Runciman left Washing
ton-leaving the impression that he
was about the only liberal-minded
member Of an ultra Tory administra-
tion-he had the satisfaction of know
ing that should Great Britain become
involved in an international conflict,
the British government can count on
the vast resources of raw materials In
the United States-as long as her cash
holds out
tCopyright, 1881