The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1938-12-02
THE GERMAN MENACE
]. E. Jones

j. II. Jones
Washington, d. c., November %
When President Roosevelt comment
ed on the Nazi brutality and said
that he could scarcely believe that
such things could occur in twentieth
century civilization" he voiced the
deeply shocked public opinion" of
his countrymen. The German Gov
eminent is regarded in Washington
as a grave menace to all nations
of the civilized world.
So far as the United States is
concerned our position has become
very complicated and it is to be
hoped that there will be no hot
headed, rash movements either on
the part of leaders in the Admin
istration, or Congress, or among the
majority and minority parties to
precipitate a situation like that of
1917.
| The national movement that fav-
ors great establishment for ma
tional defense has had an addition
put on, by the Presidents suggestion
to the 81 American Republics and
Canada that they should participate
in preparedness solidarity for the
Western Hemisphere. Signs of a
German menace closely resemble the
days of 1914-18. Nevertheless, a
military plan for the entire
| Western Hemisphere is a matter that
goes beyond the authority of the
United States, it's Administration
head, or even the Congress. Besides
it is playing with fire.
These are serious days that we
are living through. But how swiftly
the sands of time run: From No
vember s, and for full week there
after the whole country was in few
erish heat over the results of the
election. Seven days later election
controversies made way for new
discussions about national defense,
that expanded overnight, from the
Attic Ocean to Cape Horn.
What Has America To Fear
| The events in Europe are of very
serious concern, and they are in
creasingly serious because of events
in Mexico that are more direct in
their effect upon the U. S. Govern
ment. There are two reasons for the
unusual interest shown by our Gov
eminent and anxious councillors
like General Pershing, in regard to
national defense, and those two
reasons are Mexico and Germany
Those two countries are altogether
too chummy in their trade relations
Outstanding debators in Wash
ington's "Town Hall" discussed the
Betrayal of Munich" a few even
ings ago. Almost at the same time
! the United States Department OF
State was patching up affairs result
ing from the betrayal of Mexico
City.
Over a period of many years Mex
co has been confiscating farm lands
owned by American citizens. During
the past ten years alone more than
10 million dollars worth Of these
properties were appropriated" For
years the United States has been
pleading for the rights of its citi-
zens. Finally Mexico offers million
dollars as a sort of token, and it
promises to pay the amount by May
I31, 1889, and another million each
year thereafter, until the 10 million
is paid-interest not being men,
toned.
The joker in the deck is found
in the Mexican note of November
IL, stating that the government Ere
affirms" that it has not acted con-
trary to the rules and principals Of
international law, of justice and
| equity. Having been caught with
the goods, and convicted in the
eyes of it's cwn intelligent nationals,
it takes pleasure in recognizing
that the sentiments of cordial friend
ship which unite our two countries
have in the end prevailed over diff
ferences of a technical and juridica,
order. Such language interpreted
into honest speech of the United
States means that Mexico is promis-
ing 10 millions as sort of bail
bond, to strengthen its stipulation
that these payments 'shall not con-
stitute precedent, in any case nor
for any reason" By that subterfuge
Mexico expects to hold possession OF
hundreds of millions of dollars
worth of British, Dutch and United
States oil properties. It's worth 10
million dollars of dubious promise
to the Cardenas regime to be abl,
to retain it's infinitely large theftl
If Mexico would-tomorrow-c oope'-
ate with other Pan-American Re-
Ipublics in the GOOD Neighbor Pol
ICY, which is the cultural pro,
gram" of the United States, meters
would be entirely different, and the
fear of becoming involved in a Wpr