The Washington times., 1938-02-21
u. S. Views Europe
With Deep Concern;
Speeds Navy Plans
Less Opposition to Defense Program Is
Anticipated as Result of Hitler Crisis
By GEORGE R. HOLMES
NNS) since anxious World War days has Washington
viewed European with today
BY GEORGE r. HOLMES

NSN W ~ - AANS =
with such deep concern as today
: Adolf Hitler's virtual annexa,
tion of Austria, his defiant speech
to the world, his demand for col
onies, his threat to take Czecho-
Slovakia next, his reaffirmation
coupled with the British cabinet
coupled with the rBitiSh cabinet
split, all combined to produce a
feeling of extreme pessimism in
official quarters.
U. S. NAVY PLANS SPED
In the circumstances, Admins
tration policy is to stay clear OF
it all, and push forward as rapidly
Jas possible the billion-dollar ex-
panSion of the American Navy
an expansion that contemplateS
not one fleet capable of protecting
one coastline, but two fleets
capable Of protecting the Pacific
and Atlantic coasts.
Administration leaders hope
that one result Of the epochal de-
velopments of the last week in
Europe and Asia will be to
diminish the opposition to naval
expansion in Congress. Even the
most pacifist-minded member,
they believe, cannot fail to be i'm
pressed by the fact that the Old
World, and Asia, are going through
a great evolutionary process,
which the United States cannot
ignore and for which it should
be prepared.
EDEN ACTION VITAL
Until the resignation of Anthony
Eden as British foreign secretary,
revealing the depth of the British
rift, it had been hoped here that
Britain and France would stand
together against the encroach-
ments of the totalitarian states.
Apparently that is not to be, for
it is now recognized here that
Britain is out to drive as good a
bargain as she can with Hitler
and Mussolini. AS for France, the
view taken here is that she can
also bargain-or fight. And it is
not believed she will fight alone,
notwithstanding her promises to
CzechoSlovakia, Poland and other
countries Of the "little entente" "
With what happens in middle
Europe, the United States is not
greatly concerned. except in an
academic sense. But, in the long
view, the world growth of FaScism
is of concern to the United States,
particularly if that march extends
to the Western Hemisphere, as it
is showing signs of doing.
COLONTSTS IN SOUTH
For many months, there has
been a steady infiltratio on of
Fascist colonistS, propaganda, and
ideals into the republic Of South
and Central America. Brazil al
ready has what amounts to q to-
talitarian state.
German and italian immigra-
tion, and some Japanese, has in
creased materially into Latin
American countries since the rise
of Hitler and MuSSolini. This
immigration has been accom-
panied by the infusion Of much
Fascist propaganda, by radio and
by publications, to an extent
alarming to the State Department.
HOUSE IS WARNED
Only a few days ago, Lawrence
Duggan, chief Of the departments
division of American republics,
warned Congress that Old World
countries are making a special play
for South and Central American
trade and concessions.
THE pressure upon those
countries" Duggan told the
House Appropriations Commit
tee, lis becoming greater every
day, both politically and eco
nomically. They are looked
upon as sources Of raw mate
rials and outlets for surplus
manufactured products. Every
major trading country is en-
deavoring to establish itself. In
addition, some Of these foreign
countries are intoxicating ideas
totally alien to the Americas"