Evening star., 1938-07-03

international conference for the humaniza-
ton of war as soon as the Spanish situation
has been settled. Reports from London
indicate that such settlement-in Francois
favor-will occur in the near future The
humanization of wars is an effort which
might make people smile; war is inhuman
by definition. But the diplomats in the
State Department seem to have prevailed
upon the President to attempt such con-
ference. Der Fuehrer has already indicated
that he would be willing to participate in
such an innocuous gathering. The State
Department believes that the psychological
effect on the masses in Europe which see
war as imminent might be considerable if
they realize that the nations of the world
could get together on even such a ghostly
basis as the humanization of mass killing.
Both the President and Mr. Hull will
continue to hammer during the summer
months, il nothing dramatic happens in
war-stricken Europe, at the importance Of
observing existing treaties and agreements.
Precautionary measures are being taken to
protect American interests" should the
G.
Fleet May Come East.
Despite Official denials from the State
and Navy Departments that the feet. now
stationed in the Pacific, does not intend
to change its schedule Of sailing as re-
ported in some newspapers, there is pos
sibility that it will move to the Atlantic
before January 4, 1899.
The policy Of this country, it is stated in
responsible quarters, is necessarily dynamic.
1t shifts in accord with world developments.
For the time being there is no question Of
rushing our warships to the Atlantic.
There Is no reason for it, and it would be
an empty provocation which might do
more harm than good.
But it should be borne in mind that the
fleet can be moved from the. Pacific to
the Atlantic with less than 10 days prep
aration. If the commander in chief finds
it necessary to transfer the whole Navy
East, 139 warships can be strewn in the
Atlantic within four weeks after the order
has been flashed from Washington. And
there may be developments requiring that
such an order be given.
Under the present plans the war games
which the feet is scheduled to start in Feb
ruary will not include operations in what
is called the Eastern Atlantic. The Navy
Department intends to give its officers and
crews substantial training in the waters
around South America, which might some
day conceivably become the scene Of .
naval battle But with the same ease with
which the fleet can be ordered to this side
of the continent ahead of its official sched-
ule, these plans can be changed and the
field Of operations extended Is far as the
Azores Islands. This possibility IS consid-
cred in ofncial quarters As the last resort
to avoid world connagration.
Academic expressions of disapproval will
continue from President Roosevelt and hie
Secretary of State. They can do no harm
and might do some good. But they viii not
venture to say anything publicly about
matters 30 tangible as using the deet to
protect American interests. This comes
under the heading Of acting and not talking.
And a. far as acting Is concerned, the
administration in Washington Is convinced
that only an oyster-uke attitude will be Of
value when and If the time comes to trans-
late pious theories into cold realities.
(Copyrigtt, 1030)