The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-06-03


 Undoubtedly the chief reasons for Roosevelt's sea jaunt would be that he loves a good sea voyage and long has wanted to have a look at Chile, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia on the Pacific coast of the continent.
 However, when the President takes trip of this kind he likes to have some excuse for going, and the general excuse this time will be further cementing of neighborly relations between the United States and South America at Q time when war threatens in Europe.
 So it should cause no surprise if the President proposes Pan- American naval base or bases to be used by the nations of this hemisphere in case of European war. With this proposal would go a plan for Pan-American naval cooperation.
 Chief value of such a base, of course, would be to the United States. It would give this coun- try an excuse to keep ships in South American waters without appearing to impose on good neighborly relations.
 The possibility of sending ships to aid Brazil has been in the back of some official minds in case that country is menaced by another fascist revolt. In fact, 1t is already known that such aid would not be unwelcome to Brazil, which has always had close naval cooperation with the United States.
 Moreover, when the United States fleet steams to New York for the Worlds Fair next year, certain important cabinet mem bers would like to see part of it remain permanently in Atlantic waters in order to be on hand in case of Fascist or Nazi flare ups among our neighb0rS.
 NOTE-The admirals are in- clined to discount Mayor La Luardia's influence upon the President regarding the fleets visit to New York. They attribute its shift to a desire to impress Germany and Italy with U. s. naval strength in the Atlantic. Hague and Mrs. Roosevelt
 A reporter at her press confer ence asked Mrs. Roosevelt how she would explain to a "man from Mars, Mayor Hague's flouting of the Constitution"
 That would be extremely diff ficult," replied Mrs. Roosevelt. Spanish Embargo
 When Senator Nye of North Dakota introduced his resolution to lift the arms embargo against Spain, not many people realized the political risk he took. Nye is up for reelection this year, facing a primary fight with Re- publican Governor Bill Langer. a Catholic. As a result of Yves Spanish resolution, Catholic sen- timent in his state is strong against him.
 Nye himself, realized the risk he took, in fact had before him the example of Representative Hildcbrandt of South Dakota, who was defeated in the Scna- torial primary partly because of Catholic resentment at his sign ing greeting to the Cortes (Congress) of Spain.
 Catholic opposition to Hilde- brandt followed a telegram sent by Bishop Bernard Joseph Ma honey of South Dakota denounc- ing him for sending the greeting to the Ccrtes.
 Senator Nye, however, felt that the democratic principle at issue in Spain should come before domestic politics in the United States. When a colleague re- minded him of the trouble he might face, Nye replied:
 T am sure that Catholic vot- CTS in my state are broadmind- ed enough to see that this is not a religious issue."
 Most senators agree that the North Dakota primary is going to be the most significant test of religious tolerance in the United States since the campaign of Al Smith.
 Old Mems Home
 Russell Mannice, doorman who stands near the entrance of the House of Representatives, was asked by lady visitor who wan- dered into the Capitol building of the United States:
 Tell me, officer, what is this building am in?"