Evening star., 1938-03-19

Primarily, the n.,,aI,v,.r,.
members of Con-
eress and Government officials believe
that the people of the United States
are overwhelmingly. against any par
ticipation in European conflict. But
while this has been and still is
true statement. events in Europe this
week and those about to materiallze
may greatly modify the situation In
America.
In other words, the issue OF DEM
ocracy versus dictatorship is being
crystallized so rapidly that it may
provoke, so far as the United States
Is concerned, the same fundamental
issue of sef-preservation as against
autocracy which caused America to
act in 1917 alongside Of Britain and
France.
Would War for America.
There are, of course, people who
are usually classed as "pacifists" and
who would not favor American partici-
patton in any war, even for SELF
defense. These folk are often referred
to as "peace-at-any-prlce advocates
Their number is doubtless very large,
but, on the other hand, there are
many elements in our population who
would favor war OF self-detense II
America were not involved in strict
=, ly European quarrel, too.
All these groups, however, may find
some OF their members moving 'over
to another group-the people who be-
come convinced that America should
not wait until another World War has
broken out before interposing her in
fuence and perhaps a show OF her
armament to forestall such an event.
Back in 1914, Great Britain hesi-
tated to announce her policy In the
event of an invasion of Belgium, and
the delay is said to have encouraged
Germany to proceed. 1t is often con-
tended that had British policy been
more clear In advance of July, 1914,
the European war might have been
averted So also might 1t be said
that, II the Kaiser's government had
really believed that the United States
would actually send an army over
seas, there would have been less in
clination to take a chance on a war
with France
Today, the United States, the
wealthiest and mightiest nation on
earth, can stand aloof and let Britain
and France enter a life-and-death
struggle for democracy, and then,
when the Hitler armies have gained
an ascendancy, find it necessary for
the United States, after all, to enter
the conflict Or else the United States
can assume that her rights are bound
to be violated in the next world war
as they were in the last, and let the
world know in advance what America
would do to defend her rights.
HulFs Tame Warning.
In a sense, Secretary Hull's speech
was so written that it could answer
the query of Europe as to what Amer
Tea might do In another world war
in which her rights are violated
But it will take more announcements
of policy and much more definite
language than Secretary Hull has
just used for Germany to be impressed
with the seriousness of American pur-
pose.
Likewise, there will be elements in
side the United States, sincere and
well-intentioned, who, in their desire
to prevent America from entering q
war. will seek to attack statements of
American policy and thus weaken their
effect abroad.
II ever there was time to let the
Department of State speak for the
American people in the matter Of
foreign policy, it is the present. But
If the debate between pacifist and
Anti-paciflst does start, the real ques-
ton will not be whether one group
favors American participation in a
world war and the other does not. The
problem will be how the same OBJ
jective-prevention of world war, as
well as any American participation in
it-can be attained through the proper
definition Of American aims and pur-
poses.
Germany Would Heed.
II Europe knows in advance that
the greatest food granary in the world,
lI1e BICaUcoU SUOT6IlOuSS Ol ROlQ ana
raw materials and the greatest fac
tories which can manufacture untold
quantities Of guns and ships and air.
planes will be ready to defend the
cause Of democracy If provocation
does some. then 1t seems incredible
= that any German leader would be
possessed of such madness as to
plunge the German people into war
once more
For the next war will not be fought
with the same solidarity behind the
lines Of the Germanic armies in Gen.
trail Europe as was the case in 1914.
Rather will it proceed with dissension
and friction and perhaps revolution
threatened. because people instinc-
lively want freedom and liberty and
they will know they have a better
chance of getting it if democracy con-
ouers than If dictatorship is further
entrenched. Americas task now is
to help to prevent war by indicating
clearly and unequivocably at the right
time that her might and resources
will not be withheld from the scales
II Germany starts another world war