Evening star., 1938-12-24
Sitter Attitude
On Reich Rouses
Congress Critics
Senators Urge Caution
In Fear Of ReprisoI
Against Jews
By the Associated Press.


Some congressional criticism de.
veloped today of the State Depart.
ment's Stiffened attitude toward
Germany, as demonstrated in it.
brusque refusal to apologize for Sec.
retary of the Interior Ickes' recent
denunciation of that country's
treatment of minorities.
Fear of retaliation against the
Jews in the Reich as well as concern
over the possibility that this atti-
tude might needlessly entangle the
United States in controversy
which would accomplish no good
prompted several Senators to coun-
sci caution in future exchanges.
Asserting that he agreed with
Secretary Ickes' blunt criticism of
Nazi treatment of Jews, Senator
Burke. Democrat. of Nebraska, said
however, he believed it was "unwise'
at this time. Mr.. Ickes had said
Jewish prosecutions had taken Ger
many back to an "unlettered, be-
nighted and bestial' period.
War Doubted BY Burke.
There can't be any war between
the United States and Germany
unless spokesmen for executive de-
partments like Ickes make inflamma-
tory statements that take us beyond
the point where level heads can
operate Senator Burke declared.
"1ckeS is the sort of person who
can say Merry Christmas to you in
way that makes you want to fight
him."
Senator Lewis, Democrat, of Illi-
nols, the administration whip, said
he feared acrimonious exchanges
between officials of the German and
American governments might be
followed by new outbreaks against
the Jews in the Reich.
Senator Lewis recently returned
from Europe, as did Senator Rey-
nolds, Democrat, or North Carolina
who concurred in his views.
Senator Schwartz, Democrat, of
Wyoming also cautioned against
putting any avoidable strain on re-
lations with Germany.
Representative Fish, Republican.
of New York. agreed with the State
Departments action, but said cab
tnet officers should not publicly de-
nounce foreign governments or in
dulge in abusive TRADES"
Link to Arms Program Seen.
Meanwhile, Frederick J Libby, ex-
ecutive secretary of the National
Council for Prevention of War. sug-
gested that the question may we'll
be raised whether recent statements
by administration officials are a part
of an effort to create an interna-
tional spirit of fear and hate which
will overcome rising opposition to
the Presidents armament program"
Senator Frazier, Republican, of
North Dakota voiced similar view
IN wondering If the statements
might "be more ballyhoo for the
superdefense and armament pro-
grams"
White-haired Senator Norris, in
dependent, of Nebraska said, how
ever, this country had done the
right thing in bluntly refusing Ger
many's demands for retraction of
criticism.
The veteran independent is the
only present Senator who voted
against war with Germany in 1917.
L have never seen anything like
the brutality now existing in the
world" Senator Norris said. 1--WE
have at least three governments
now engaged in open campaigns of
brutality and murder. These are
not outlaws, mind you, but govern
ments that act for millions of peo-
pie. 1t makes you wonder about
civilization"
Moves to Guard Canal.
While congressional discussion of
foreign affairs centered about the
European situation, the executive
branch in two unrelated actions
moved toward better protection of
the Panama Canal, which Secretary |
Of War Woodring said recently must
be made impregnable. They were
an announcement that the present |
temporary Atlantic Squadron would |
become a permanent unit of IS war; |
ships on January and President |
Roosevelt's decision to elevate the
American Legation in Venezuela to
ar Embassy, the United States
eighth in Latin America.
The recognition accorded Venezu-
ella follows similar elevation of the
Legation in Colombia October l.
Both countries lie in close proximity
to the canal.
Permanent assignment of a fleet
In the Atlantic has been studied for
years. A powerful fleet in the At
lantic is regarded as strengthening
eastern defenses of the canal.
The temporary Atlantic Squadron
was created last spring, soon after
Germany marched into Austria. 1t
aroused some criticism in circles be-
lieving the Navy should not be di-
vided. After long study, however,
the Navy yesterday made a one
sentence announcement that the
squadron would become
permanent on January 6. 1t will in
clude 4 battleships. 8 cruisers and
% destroyers, which now are being
organized into the unit at Norfolk,
Va.
4