Evening star., 1937-04-11

| AAS oi hsIiiclilllS VI IIle lleeC In the
Pacific, the rapid progress in the
fortlflcation of the Aleutian Islands
and their transformation into powerful
submarine and air bases are warry-
ing the Japanese militarists. They
look upon these new bases as di-
rect menace
Reasons for Suspicion.
The neutrality act drafted seem
mgly, to help Great Britain and
France in the event of another war,
the notes sent to Berlin after the La
Guardla incident, couched in such
strong language by Mr.. Cordell Hull
that neither the State Department
nor the German foreign office could
make them public; the obvious an
tagonism OF the people of the United
states generally toward the German
and Italian systems of government
all these have convinced Hitler and
Mussollni that the government of the
United States is more partial To
France and Great Britain. Hence anv
peace move initiated in Washington
would be looked upon with suspicion
IN Berlin and in Rome-as a trap in
which they would be forced to sign
on the dotted line. Otherwise thev
lear, public opinion in the United
States would resent what would be
called the dlctatorS' thirst for war"
and friendly neutrality toward Great
Britain and France might become A.
definite alliance.
i0Io
formed the White House of this frame
OF mind. And it is for these reasons
that President Roosevelt. while willing
10 take chance for peace last Fall.
now finds it inadvisa BILE to take tho
lead IN summonlng conference which
might result in a termination of the
arms race and stabilize the economic
structure Of the world
The purely political plans of Presi-
dent Roosevelt are not fully shared
by his Secretary of State, Mr.. Hui.
Ihey agree that the United States
might play an important role in the
settlement of the world problems, but
Mr.. Hull has his own conception as to
now 1t might be done The Secretary
OF State believes that the fundamental
cause of the present world unrest
Whlcn has led to the armament race
Is natural result of unsettled eco
nomlc conditions throughout the
world. Find cure for them, he saws
and you have solved the superficial
political rows, which, although SUPER
flclal, are nonetheless extremely dan
gerous.
Mr.. Hull Acts Quietly.
Mr.. Hull does not believe in trum-
pets and ballyhoo. He Believes in
things done quietly and unobtrusivelv.
The Secretary of State. therefore, fa-
vors the plan of approaching the
limitation of arms conference through
tne channels of an economic parley.
The risks Of political upheaval thus
would be greately reduced Without
the blare of publicity representatives.
European statesmen could convene
with Mr.. Norman Davis and quietly
discuss their problems. Secretary Hull
is convinced that despite the threaten
ing situation in Europe-or maybe
because of that situation-the Ger
are soluble provided there is enough
give and take" on all sides.
He admits that the question of raw
materials is of capital importance 10
an industrial country like German
and to a country completely depend
ent on imports, like Italy There can
be no reason. in his opinion. why the
"haves" should not be willing to MAKE
certain sacrifices which will be more
than amply compensated for by the
gain in the cause of peace.
indications have reached the State
Department that there is an impor-
tant bloc of British public opinion
which would support abandonment to
Germany of the inundated territories
OF Tanganyika, Togoland and the
Cameroons, in exchange for an un-
derstanding which would put an end
to the armament race.
There is still larger section of
thinking Britishers which does not
relish any ENHANCEMENT that might
align the British Empire with the
Soviet Union. Hence, this group of
Britons wants its government to urge
France to discourage any action which
might embroil her in a conflict be-
cause of the situation in Eastern Eu-
rope.
Blum Fears Alliances.
Blum himself is lukewarm about
Frances military alliance with Rus
sia and the nations of Eastern Europe.
He sees only trouble ahead as a con-
sequence of those engagements which
he has inherited from his prede-
cesSors. He prefers to base his eco
nomic and foreign policies on an un-
equivocal understanding with the
United States and Great Britain not
only because of the enormous power
of these two, but also because they are
genuinely in sympathy with his ideas
of peace.
The French premier repeatedly has
expressed himself ready to take the
initiative in conference which might
result in the settlement Of the present
problems. He does not much care
whether it takes the shape of a lin
itation of arms conference or an eco
nomic parley. He is just waiting for
the signal, either from Washington or
from London. Blum realizes that the
moment is not particularly favorable
for such a gathering, but he is willing
to take a chance if the others are.
London is more reticent. British
statesmen are wavering-they fear the
consequences of failure. This they
plainly told Ambassador Norman
Davis. They believe that the tre-
mendous rearmament program Of
Great Britain and France will mellow
Hitler and Mussolini, who, having seen
that both countries mean business,
will think twice before plunging Eu-
rope into another war And when
this point is brought home, to tho two
dictators the chances for n Succ3 3sful
conference will be greatly ,sphanf fed
President Roosevelts PERSONAL am
bassador has so far beeniohlucA in
l@tc .AAs. i u