Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1937-05-09
REVOLUTION IS EFFECTED
In FOREIGN POLICY OFU.S.|
Neutrality Act Puts Capstone to New
Structure, Created During Last 4
Years Under Roosevelt.
BY CRESTON B. MULLINS.

past four years. Reforms since March,
1888, stand unmatched in more than
$50 years Of American history.
Thomas Jefferson as Secretary of
State had his task in the development
and practical application of American
neutrality policy, and the principles
he established remained for more than
century and half as the standard
American attitude toward foreign con-
f1icts; President Monroe defined the
American stand on Latin America;
President Wilson brought the United
States onto the world scene in full
stature 20 years ago. But the past
four years have witnessed complete
reversal in relationships with Latin
America, a reviviflcation of CONNER
cial policy in the promotion OF the
reciprocal trade program and grad
ual approach toward effective CO.
operation with the rest Of the world
for peace.
When President Roosevelt at the
Capitol, March 4, 1898, pledged his
regime to the policy of the good
neighbor" the full implication of the
phrase was unrevealed, nor could the
all-pervading character of the reform
that was to come be OWNED What he
promised was the policy of the neigh
Dor who respects himself and so re-
spects others, who prefers to live in
amity but who knows how to defend
himself against aggression, and who
believes, with the New England farm
hat
neighbors"
Main Points in New Policy.
The essential facts of the new
American foreign policy are two.
CD The determination to keep the
United States at peace with the rest
OF the world, and
CD The restora ton Of the armed
strength of the United States to meet
whatever menace to American secur-
lily that may arise abroad.
The spearhead of the drive to as
sure continuing peace for America is
neutrality legislation, but there was
serious difference between the Presi-
dent and some congressional elements
as to whether, as he thought, neutral
lty could be achieved best by prevent
ing any likelihood OF conflict with
sanctioning agencies in the collective
peace machinery, or whether, as they
thought, American neutrality would be
better served by maintaining strict i'm
Partially in the event of sanctions.
In the first case the executive would
require broad powers to apply or not
TO apply stringent regulations against
intercourse with belligerents; in the
second case the actions of the execu-
tive would be made mandatory by
legislation and there would be no
room for application or suspension OF
neutrality regulations. The former
required discretionary neutrality act,
that is. law which would permit the
President to use his powers or not as
he foresaw that their practical appli-
cation would deter or assist sanctions
by collective peace agencies: the lat
ter required mandatory bill, that is,
a law which would lay down fully in
advance exactly what regulations
would come into force upon issuance
OF proclamation that state Of war
existed anywhere in the world.
The law enacted retains virtually all
OF the discretionary features with
which 1t passed the House. The phi
losophy upon which it is based is that
peace is most likely for America when
the possibilities for involvement in war
are at a minimum. These possibilities
arise from presence Of American inter-
ests-economic, commercial and hu-
man-in q war zone, or from close
association of any of them with the
cause OF either belligerent. Therefore,
these interests must be cut to mini
mum during war in which we wish to
remain neutral. Americans must be
deprived Of direct financial interest in
the outcome; they must not have a
commercial stake in the cause Of either
party. and they must themselves re-
main out of contact with hostilities to
prevent Indictment, through accident
or design, of the American people
against one side or the other.
Philosophy Effectuated.
To give full effect to this basic
philosophy Of the duty of neutrals
loans and credits to belligerents are
forbidden; arms, ammunition and i'm
plements of war may not be exported
to any belligerent; American ships are
not to carry arms to belligerents;
American citizens may not travel on
vessels OF any belligerent, except under
such rules and regulations as the Pres
ident may prescribe; American mer-
chant vessels may not go armed; and
the President, as he sees fit, may for
bid American ships to carry certain
other goods in addition to arms to
belligerents, and may require that all
trade, other than arms, be on a
strictly cash basis
The effect of the last two provisions
Is complicated. Its extent may be
seen from the phraseology of the law.
Section (a) provides that whenever
the President shall have issued a
proclamation under the authority Of
section l of this act and he shall
thereafter find that the placing OF re-
strictions on the shipment of certain
articles or materials in addition to
arms, ammunition and implements of
war from the United States to bel
ligerent states, or to state wherein
civil strife exists, is necessary to pro-
: mote the security or preserve the peace
OF the United States or to protect the
lives of citizens Of the United States
he shall so proclaim, and 1t shall
thereafter be unlawful except unde,
limitations and exceptions as the
President may prescribe -" for any
American vessel to carry such article.
or materials to any belligerent
state = ."
Cash Requirement.
Section 2 (b) supplements this with
the provision that whenever the Presi.
dent proclaims the existence OF 9
state of war anywhere in the worlc
and shall thereafter ind that "th<
placing OF restrictions on the export
OF articles or materials from th<
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