Evening star., 1938-06-26
Aggressive Peace Policies by
US. Held Likely in Future
Secretary Hull Busy With Plans to Use Fleet
Maneuvers in East to Show Restive
Europeans Strength of America.

country"
President Benes and Premier Hodza
know that there Is something more behind
these logical arguments Of the former
physical educator. Hitler wants Czecho-
slovakia to enter Gernany's sphere of in
fluence or, failing this, that the sudeten
Germans be incorporated In the Reich.
Our diplomatic observers in Europe re-
port that Henlein cannot do otherwise than
press this point.of dangerous alliances"
But they believe that neither Benes nor
the rest Of the government will accept
these camouflaged Berlin demands The
situation continues as tense as it was few
weeks ago. The dismissal of the 100000
reservists who were called to the colors in
the middle of May Is Of no more signifi-
canoe than the declaration of Won Ribben-
trop to the British Ambassador in Berlin
that Germany was not concentrating troops
In the vicinity of Czechoslovakia. These
were both half truths The Germans con-
tinue to be concentrated in the Munich
and Dresden areas; the Czechoslovak re.
servists, after having had the experience
OF swift mobilization, can rejoin their
ranks within "a hours. Czechoslovak en-
gineers are working day and night at the
construction Of mobile fortifications on the
borders Of what used to be Austria. while
the Germans are intensfying their war
preparations
The Soviet government. which has kent
silent Tor several months. has at present
no less than 1,1oo planes on the Rumanian
oorder. Towards the end of MAY the
kremlin informed King Carol that It ex-
pecteo to meet no opposition from the
Fumanlan government should 1t become
necessary for the Russian air force to fIy
over Rumania,s territory In order to fulfill
Its treaty engagements" The Moscow
communication was more peremtorv thar
friendly.
Paris and London are worried about the
German-Czech crisis but they can find no
satisfactory solution. A complete surrender
by President Benes does not suit either
france or Great Britain. An adamant at
utude from Prague would precipitate a
Crisis. At a loss as to how to resolve the
tangle and pressed by the necessity to gain
time until the French and British armed
forces equal those Of Germany and Italv
the French and British diplomats have
turned to Washington A determined atti-
tuoe on the part OF the American Govern
ment' they say, would help much to dampen
tne enthusiasm of the two dictatofs.
Expressions of reproval do not innress
eitner Berlin or Toxic. The world is becom
ing more and more aware Of the sloean:
Might makes right" And there is a sad
Snow Of might on the part Of the demo-
cratic powers. The statement Of Premier
chamberlain in the House of Commons m
June 1S that ships flying the British aap
should avoid the dangerous waters Of spain
mas created a deep impression among the
minor European states. 1t was interpreted
as an abdication by Great Britain of her
historic supremacy of the seas. And it has
underscored the importance of interna.
tlonal affairs of the air blockade-at a time
when Italy and Germany have air su-
premacy in Europe.
But Secretary Hull has recalled the Levi.
carroll rhyme: The time has come, the
walrus said to talk of many things: Of
shoes and ships, and sealing wax of cab
pages ana kings :" And he is getting
reaoy TO talk, especially of ships. The fleet
WILL soon receive orders from its commander
In chief to move to the East for war games,
Tor problem No. 20. as this years exercises
are labeled by the Navy Department. When
the President, at the suggestion of the State
Department, ordered the Navy to the East
Coast, 1t was planned that the movement
start some time in December and that the
neet would reach the Atlantic early next
year. This operation may be pushed several
weeks ahead.
The war games will be played for the first
Time IN many years under the eyes Of the
dlctators. One hundred and ffty-six men
of-War which for more than a wear have
been ready for action are going to display
tnls countrys sea might to Berlin and
Rome Some time ago German Diplomat
stated in q jest that the expressions Of dis.
approval and grave concern" of the state
department failed to impress Hitler and
Mussolini. What would impress them how.
ever, would be the presence of American
warships cleared for action in the Medi-
terranean or the North Sea. It would not
oe surprising If the suggestion of the State
department. to show the flag" in the At
antic were not, to a certain eytant
prompted by that witticism. In con junction
with the 1888 war games of the fleet the
State Department is getting ready to "ob-
serve" with keener interest the develop-
ments on the other side of the Atlantic
ootn south and east. Mr. Hull with greater
freedom OF action than he had while Con.
sress was In session. intends to give more
latitude to his Tennessean temper which
ne mas mad to restrain for such a long
Time. The cause of peace" will be advo-
Gated with greater energy and punch than
it has been for many q year in the past.