Evening star., 1938-03-16
WASHINGTON OBSERVATIONS

International affairs, with Austria as
the center around which all others seem
to revolve at present constitute the
main theme of discussion and interest,
not only in diplomatic circles, but among
officaldom generally in Washington.
With the Nazi coup in annexing Austria
still a subject of heated debate. more
and more consideration involves the
aftermath of this German action What
effect will it have on tense situations
in other parts of Europe and in the Far
East, is the question which is now being
asked on all sides. Growing out of this
is the question as to how the United
States will be affected in its commercial
as we'll as in its diplomatic relations
with other countries, and how should
this Government meet the problems
the questions which the State Depart
ment and President Roosevelt had to
answer almost Immediately came in
connection with the proclamation by
the President yesterday of the reciprocity
treaty with CZechoSlovakia. In spite of
the fact that the German Ambassador
had advised the State Department OF
the law of his government concerning
the reunion of Austria with the German
Reich this was not considered salts
factory evidence that Austria had
ceased to be an independent state"
Accordingly, Austria was listed in the
proclamation among the independent
countries to which most-favored nation
treatment is extended.
Diplomatic and official Washington,
as we'll as the newspaper fraternity Of
the Nations Capital, are agog over the
address on foreign affairs which Secre-
tary of State Hull is to make at the
National Press Club tomorrow It will
be the first official pronouncement by
an American Government representative
since the "sandbagging of Austria into
unholy union with the Reich. How far
the Secretary of State will go in touch
ing on this subject and related European
events of recent date is the question on
which there is keenest speculation in
all quarters here at the present moment.
The attitude of this Government on the
all-important issue which now confronts
Europe and the world is matter of vital
concern not only to the citizens of the
United States. but to those of many other
nations. The speech of the Secretary
will be of understanding import and
will be listened to in all parts of the
world, arrangements having been made
to translate it into Spanish, French,
Italian, German and Portuguese for the
benefit of foreign listeners who will
receive 1t over short-Wave broadcast.
In view of disturbed and uncertain
world conditions, it is the consensus of
official opinion here that the suggestion
of High Commissioner McNutt that there
should be a re-examination of the status
of the Philippine Islands and of the
question as to the date of their inde-
pendence, is a wise proposal. It is be-
lieved that the idea will meet with wide
spread approval among all who have the
real interest of the Filipinos at heart.
The immediate favorable reaction from
the islands themselves, as voiced by
President Manuel Quezon, was accepted
as clear indication of the general feel
ing which exists there. The majority of
the people of the islands, it is believed,
look on the United States, which has
brought them thus far on their road
toward independence, as having their
best ultimate interests in view, and in
Le1pllg CueH 10 DullQ up system WHICH
would permit them to stand firmly on
their own feet when the time for their
complete independence arrived.
X X
Count de Saint Quentin, new Ambas-
sador of France to the United States,
who presented his credentials to Presi-
dent Roosevelt early this month, has
arrived in Washington at time which
is of highest significance in the rela.
tons between 'h' sY0 '0unsr'''' The