Evening star., 1938-04-14
Sees Possibility of U. S.
In International Line-Up
TO the Editor of The Star:

10 the Editor OF The Star:
have read in the Manchester Guard
ian that The Washington Star has de-
clared that II Sir Edward Grey had
talked to the Kaiser as plainly as our
Mr.. Chamberlain now speaks to Hitler
1t Is improbable that Germany would
have risked the war In 1914, and that
it asks its readers to imagine the tre-
mendous effect upon the Italo-German-
Japanese triangle If the United States
Government should add to 1t declara-
ton that if Britain and France were
involved in war in defense of free gov
ernment and free institutions, the United
States would consider their cause its
own.
One feels that this judgment OF Mr..
Chamberlain's speech Is sound and just
where Central European affairs are con-
cerned, though his remarks on Spain
were, and are, proving to be Just as
unfortunate.
Mr.. Roosevelt's speech at Chicago last
year, followed by Mr.. Cordell Hulls
speech recently, and then your recent
article give one the impression that
American public opinion is gradually
realizing that it is impossible for any
great nation to be isolated from the rest
of the world without suffering greatly.
Public opinion in England is also be-
coming less isolationist. One often hears
it said that the League of Nations can
do nothing, but even these people now
appear to be sorry and not pleased about
it as many did previously. The "I-told-
you-it-Wouldn't 't-work" attitude has been
replaced by concern due to the in
creasing power of Germany, and these
people are now becoming interested in
the possibility of revlving the Lea que.
Similar thoughts must be occupying the
minds OF many people in the U. S. A.,
though one realizes that the U. S. A.
is not prepared to join the League at
present, with the danger of its COM
mitments being unlimited; but at the
same time it must be increasingly obvi-
Gus that even the U. S. A., will even-
tually have TO choose between fighting
for its principles and freedom, or a
policy OF increasing isolation, and loss
OF the major part OF its foreign trade.
Americans are now committed to in
creased expenditure on ornaments which
they hardly need for the defense of their
own country, and it must be considered
by Americans that there is possibility
OF their being involved in war else-
where, and the hesitancy and indecision
shown by all three great Gemocracies
is likely to encourage the aggressors
until major war becomes inevitable.
For this reason l venture to suggest
the following method in the hope that
eventually the two greatest nations in
the world will be prepared to take a
lead in forming an international police
force to preserve peace. To form this
force each nation would be permitted to
become member only when it had
agreed to hand over one-third OF its
national forces (navy, army, air force)
to the international police force, and
also agreed to see that this portion was
maintained at full strength both in men
and equipment.
This international force would be
more powerful than any national tcrce
and would be willingly allowed to carry
out It's practices ana maneuvers in or
around the coasts of the countries which
feared an attack, thus being liable to
prevent any attack.
This force would be permanently
under the command of men appointed
by the League, who would only be re-
sponslble to the League If host!lities
commenced it would be the duty of the
force to so Immediately to the assistance
to the country being invaded and to
force the invaders to retire. The dispute
would then be referred to an interna-
tional tribunal or court, which would
decide what it considered a lair settle
ment.
AS this international police force
grew, due to more nations Joining, 1t
would become obvious to all tnat the
national forces were much larger than
necessary and they would be reduced
voluntarily. Thus international dis
armament would be accomplished with
out any troublesome conferences.
STEPHEN STANWORTE.
Burnley, England