Evening star., 1938-04-10
y. S. Big Stick Foreign Policy
Seen Awaiting Citizens Signal
Roosevelt and Hull Pictured as Ready to Make
Show of Force to Dictators if
Assured of Support.

s-~~-~~ SNNAS AAohAHS PObAlI tllC 1dlIlOuS
memorandum to Secretary Hull request
ing" that the Emperor of Japan be in
formed about the Chief Executives dis
pleasure at the attack, the Navy Depart
ment was consulted Mr.. Roosevelt re-
called that in January, 1882 Secretary
Stimson made gesture" which could not
be followed up because the Navy was not
in position to do anything but be hon
orably defeated The answer from the
Navy leaders was Ready, Sir" But again
the cross-currents won the day. Mr..
Roosevelt and his advisers began to have
qualms and fears: rs the country behind
us?' They concluded that it was not.
The country has been told, it is true how
horrible the violators of the treaties are. but
not of information in the files of the State
Department. which is considered too con-
fidential to be impaired to those whc
actually have the final say in our inter-
national relationship American people.
Trade to Drop to Near Zero.
These files reveal that within the next
10 or 20 years, when Japan has completed
the occupation of China and has started
exploiting its endless national resources and
man power, it will be almost impossible for
the American people to sell a nickel's
worth of goods abroad. Even on the basis
OF the present figures, American industry
faces stiff competition against Japanese
industry in its own country. When tariffs
reach too high peak, they are no longer
tariffs but embargoes-a hostile act against
the power concerned
Though the open door policy Is nomi.
nally still in force, American trade has
been almost completely eliminated from
Manchuria. Not that it amounts to much
but 1t indicates what will happen when
China shares the fate of Manchuria and,
for that matter, when other countries
succumb to the totalitarian powers Be-
cause the administration failed to advise
our citizens what we actually have at stake
in the Pacific and how the situation is in
terrelated with other countries, it could not
secure clear backing of public opinion
and withdrew, more or less gracefully, from
an unpleasant situation.
The White House and the State Depart
ment may believe that the time for empty
gestures is over; that henceforth a display
Of force, not mere threats, is necessary to
put an end to the onward march Of the
relationships. But it is doubtful that this
Is yet conviction. The State Department
still believes that it is wise policy to talk;
that warnings will worry the dictator
ships. Hence; food of oratory from the
State Department every time an oppor-
tunity offers itself. Word comes from Lon
don and Paris: Talk, say something. indi-
cate that your great country might be on
our side. This will intimidate the others"
And cropping in the dark they reiterate that
old tune of ''parallelism of interests"
Hostile Capitals Shrug.
Every occasion is seized by our high off,
cials to make statements meant for foreign
consumption rather than for the home
folks. in the hope that they will act as a
deterrent to the aggressive dictators On
March 10, several days after the absorption
OF Austria by Germany, Secretary Hull is
sued statement which reads in part:
THE extent to which the Austrian incident.
or any similar incident, is calculated to
endanger the maintenance of peace and
the preservation Of the principles in which
this Government believes is, of course, a
matter Of serious concern to the Govern
ment OF the United States" London and
Paris loudly applauded this courageous
statement" But the leaders In Berlin,
Rome and Toxic shrugged their shoulders
and smiled. They do not care how seriously
concerned the United States Government is
as long as 1t minds its own business within
the boundaries of America.
The administration complains that the
people of the country will not support it in
any positive" policy, but it does not realize
that statements such as the above give the
impression that we are merely trying to
NEEDLE in other peoples affairs.
Because of the administrations reluctance
to put the whole matter before the country
from the point of view of the peoples own
future welfare, there is scant chance of a
true understanding between the Govern
ment and the people. And as long as that
exists, the foreign policies of the United
States are bound to remain hesitant and
parallel" to nothing.
Hull Clings to Trade Theory.
Secretary Hull still believes that ulti-
mately improved trade relations will solve
the worlds problems, provided catastrophe
can be avoided within the next few years.
He believes that should some 80 or 40
nations get together and improve COM
mercial relations the totalitarian states
will not be able to remain outside that
group. But where the Secretary OF State
will find 80 or 40 nations to join him has
not been made clear as yet. The Secretary
Of State refuses to admit that, at the rate
the dictators are proceeding they will bring
within their sphere-either by force or BY
persuasion-all but few countries.
While hoping for this millennium, the
administration will follow line of conduct
full of grave concerns" serious warnings"
and "parallelisms." Because America is too
big and important a country, I'VE cannot
live isolated from the other nations Of the
world" Hence, cut and dried policy ad-
vocated by a few in the Government,
"either cut loose of everything and readjust
our life to a completely isolationist policy
or adopt a strong policy" is, for the time
being, rejected by the administration.
Without saying so in so many words the
watchword in Washington is: Lets drift,
circumstances and events will decide our