The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-12-21
BEHIND l THE SCECJESl WASHINGTON Av RODNEY DUTcHER-t
 Democrat Washington
 Correspondent
Officials Believe Panay Bombed To
 DestrOyAmerican
 Prestige In Orient

Washington, Dec. 2l Behind the administration decision to "get tough" with Japan over the sink ing of the U. s. gunboat Panay. IS a triple hope that Japan can be made to cat humble pic, that Great Br- tain and France can be inspired or shamed into firmer attitude toward warlike Fascist nations. and that rampant American pacifism be set back on it's heels.
 Practically everyOn, In the White House and the State Dee pertinent believes that the Panay attack was deliberately planned as part of an effort to destroy American prestige in the Orient, to prove that the United States wouldn't hit back, aId to drive Americans as well as other for. elgners out of China
 Whether or not this conviction is correct, the fact that 1t exists is a most important factor in the cur rent international crisis"
 Can't Escape War
 Again, in order to appreciate the atmosphere here, it is necessary 10 recall Roosevelt's Chicago warning that If Germany, Japan, and Italy Che d.d not name them continued their Warlike sweeps, the western hemisphere could not escape war.
 Tn high and influential quarters one does not find any great cOnh- dence that this nation in the long run will Keep out of war with Japan.
 The Presidents Chicago speech, threatening quarantine, was in part an experimental bluff designed to scare Japan. Of course 1t didn't work. But 1t also was a trial ball. loon which would have been fol- lowed by some relatively firm action aimed at discoufaging Japanese ifl- vasion had it not been for two factors:
 1--Anti-war psychology Of the American people, which caused the speech to be received with apathy rather than enthusiasm.
 2-Unwillingness of England and France to rise to the occasion by joining this country iil as strong q position as Roosevelt and Secretary Hull were willing to take. ct ap- pcared that even Roosevelt and Hull weren't sure just how strong a poe sition that might be-
 A Big Navy" Man
 Tn ignoring the neutrality act dur ing Japan's undeclared war on China, and in publicly frowning on the proposed Ludlow amendment which would require that wars other than in defense Of American territory be declared only by popu- lar referendum. the administration has demonstrated its sour attitude toward a rising tide of paciflsm. ac- companIed by efforts to tic executive hands in the game of international politics.
 Although Roosevelt isn't fin a bel- IIgcrcnt mood and it is copfldcntally believed that the Japanese have been frightened by an unexpected American display of anger the President is q "big navy" man who favors preparedness. He doesn't be- lieyc in letting any nation step on American toes lest 1t become habit. Won't Be the Last
 Although present policy is to ob- tain every possible guarantee for American lives and property in China. and to go as far as possible toward humibating Japan without riSking war. the Panay incident IS not expected to be the last involving tic two countries. Japanese salmon fishing activities of Alaska. for in- stance. may soon bring q cause for firm protest.
 Dispatch of the American fleet to the Philippines has been seriously considered, and may yet come to pass.
 Naval and military startcgiSts favor establishment of 4 big avia- ton base at Dutch HarbOr in the AIeutian Islands, whence bombing planes could reach Japan iD three hours. This measure Is in the se- cret conversational stage. AL though referred tO aS 2 measure Of "defeESe7 it's cOnsummatiOD probably would lead to war.
 You won't hear 1t mentioned aloud as long as public opinion remains as peaceful as 1t is now.