Evening star., 1938-08-01

w YHAT may well be considered
~ the severest test OF New
wv Deal strength in the pre-
election period comes in
the State primaries to be held this
week. Led of by the preliminary
bouts" in Kansas and Missouri to-
morrow. with Virginia also In the ma
tional picture through two OF its con-
eressional combats, thesscene OF battle
will shift on Thursday to doubtful
Tennessee, and then wind up in
grand climax on Saturday in Ken
lucky. While the eyes OF the Nation
will be centered this week on all OF
these contests, the one whose outcome
will be awaited with the keenest in
terest will be that in the Blue Grass
State. This is due to President Roose-
velt's forcefully expressed desire to
see Democratic Senate Leader Bark
ley, ardent administration and New
Deal supporter retained in his power
full position in the Upper House OF
Congress, and also because Of the
national prominence which both cam
didates in the Kentucky Democratic
senatorial race have attained. The
struggle between Senator Barkley and
Gov Chandler has assumed almost
titanic proportions.
y *%
From q strategic point Of view the
next greatest Importance in this week s
primaries, after Kentucky, is held by
political observers here to center in
Tennessee. There the contest which
already has developed bitter State
animoeities. promises to be one in
which the political fur will n.y."
While this Is State-controlled-or
State contror'-fight. the admins
tration having carefully abstained
from becoming involved in what ap-
peared to be 4 domestic broil, the
result may have future implicat tions
OF broad national political character
Investigation by the Senate Campaign
Expenditures Committee into condi-
tions in that State have brought 1t
into the limelight in no favorable
public view. with a strong proba bility
that this haunt" will not down for
some time to come
What about these frequently re-
curing incidents along the japanese
Soviet border in Manchukup? Is one
OF these incidents likely to burst into
an incendiary flame Of conflict? This
is the double -barreled question which
is being seriously asked on all sides in
Washington these summer days, both
in diplomatic circles and by the man
on the street. The only uncontrovert-
able answer is that the outcome Is in
the lap OF the gods" There Is grave
concern, however. in the minds of all
those who are following international
affairs closely. particularly with an eye
directed to future developments. Be-
cause OF the world-shaking repercus-
sions which q clash between those two
major powers would produce, with un-
foreseen political and economic conse-
quences, officials OF this Government
are watching the situation closely
They remain hopeful that these borde,
disturbances will continue to be moth.
ing more than incidents" and after
each OF them has subsided seem pleased
to express the opinion that the ten
sion apparently has lessened."
X
Visitors today to the State Depart
ment Building might gain the pain.
full impression that the foreign rela.
tions of this country are badly dis.
turbed." This, however. would be only
an optical illusion. The confusion
which prevails At present in the halls
OF the staid old State Department
where bookcases. desks and chair.
are lined up along the walls Of many
OF its wide corridors. Is due to the
fact that 4 number of ONCE shifts
physical, not oficial-are being made
In order to take care OF its growing
activities, the State Department re.
Gently was assigned about 80 room
formerly occupied by the War De.
partment; and 50 while these new
ofiices are being prepared, with floor.
scraping machines buzzing all day lonf
and with the odor Of fresh paint anc
varnish permeating all corners Of thu
huge structure, otficials of the variou.
bureaus are being "shufned" about