Evening star., 1938-02-20
BY CONSTANTINE BROWN

6\dE INTRODUCTION OF the $500 900 900
naval appropriation bill has given
an opportunity to members of Con-
gress, both friends and foes of the
administration, to probe the foreign policy
Of the Government
Members Of Congress are at a loss to
understand whittier we are going. Some
believe that the President has certain def
mite conceptions of which not even the
State Department is aware: others think
that both the President and Mr. Hull are
following a hand-to-mouth policy and are
drifting with events. Finally, large num-
Der of them and this includes outside OBJ
servers as we'll, have deep-rooted suspicion
that the administration is playing follow
the leader"-the leader being the foreign
office in London. They suspect the British
foreign secretary of holding the pitchppe
and making us sing to the tune from Down.
ing Street.
To all this the high officials of the State
Department answer with an injured air:
I'VE can't understand what these people
are driving At There has not been .
single administration in the last Is years
which has had a more open policy or which
has played franker game with the other
nations. We have placed the cards on the
table since 1888 and We are holding no aces
up our sleeve.
Peace Paramount Policy.
"The principles guiding our intercourse
with foreign nations are as easy to under
stand as the A B c. We want peace This
Is the paramount objective of our foreign
policy. We want strong national defense
because in these days of uncertainty we
must be sheltered against any storm which
may break over our head. We believe, de-
spite all the apparent signs to the contrary,
that peace can be obtained in the world.
All that is needed is better understanding
Of the needs and the psychology of the ma
tions opposing each other.
Mutual concessions would level the road
to peace. We believe in the nations re-
specting international obligations and
treaties signed Of their own volition With
out this respect there can be no lasting
understanding among nations We be-
lieve that reciprocal agreements will. in the
long run, replace the present regional
agreements and open new vista for human
happiness. We still believe in limitation
and reduction of armaments and, at the
propitious moment, are prepared to ioin
any enort from whatever quarter to bring
an end to this mad arms race
I'VE reject any thought of entanelins
a Yy~ -
intend to make any. We are following an
American policy and nothing else"
Recalls Battlefield Episode.
These inspiring and pious expressions,
which can be heard at any time from ad-
ministration leaders in Washington, remind
this writer of an incident which he wit
messed on the Rumanian battlefields in
September, 1916:
During the World War the Russian gov
ernment sent an army corps to aid the
Rumanian Army to resist the German
Bulgarian onslaught from the SOUTH zhe
army corps was commanded by general
named Zainchikowsky, tall, good-lookine
soldier. When the news reached him that
AAA' NA'ASAoAAo WOAlu VIC 1dCcU ny HI enemy
attack within 46 hours, he did not lose
his head. He issued strict orders to his
officers to see that every man had his
buttons sewed on his uniform; that said
buttons should be polished according to
regulations; that the appearance of the men
should be 'soldierly"; that the officers and
men should not neglect to shave at least
every second day
The Germans attacked, and the Russo
Rumanian forces were routed only after
few hours battle.
There is a certain similarity between
the order of the day issued by Zainchi-
kowsky on the eve of an important battle
and the line of conduct allegedly adopted
by the Washington administration in in
ternational affairs.
II the principles enunciated by WASH
ington officials are unchallengably cor
rect, it would appear that President Roose-
welt and Secretary Hull place emphasis on
the shine of the brass buttons on the SOL
diers' tunics rather than in their fighting
ability.
To talk about reduction and limitation
Of armaments when every nation in the
world Is spending every cent it can lay
hands on for military preparations seems
unrealistic to say the least. To talk about
the advantage to humanity Of trade agree
ments at time when the military prestige
Of q nation determines its economic rela-
tions with its neighbors falls into the same
category.
Dubious Peace Recipe.
That nobody in this country wants war
Is automatic, but not by the recipe sug-
gested by the State Department can peace
be maintained.
Even the State Department humani-
tarians do not deny that this country
can follow only two courses: One, to cut
adrift from the rest of the world which
Is in state of semi-madness today. con-
f1ne our efforts to this country alone and
concentrate, If possible. on developing a
national economy to fit new conditions
applicable to the Western Hemisphere only;
to ignore completely events across the At
lantic and the Pacific, confident that the
American Navy and American aviation
are strong enough to discourage aggression
from any quarter.
Second, to maintain lone wolf policy
with the strength Of the lone wolf, and,
while making no definite agreements or
entangling alliances, cooperate with such
nations as fit into our plan of action