The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1938-02-26
FACTS THAT REQUIRE DECISION

The CONSPICUOUS fact about Internal
ional relations in the present era is the in
security of treaty obligations, due largely,
if not entirely, to the existence of govern
ments in at least three countries which have
adopted war as an instrument TO effect
national aspirations.
The conspicuous fact about the foreign
policy of the United States today is the
Iong-standing tradition against entanglng
alliances, which makes it impossible for his
country to enter into any treaty, either de-
fensive or offensive. that carries with it
obligations to other powers that might. in
future years, lead us into war.
In the entire world there is no nation
as wealthy as the United States and none
that offers as rich booty to freeboOting ex-
peditions. With most of the worlds gold,
with large sums owed US by foreign govern
ments and peoples and possessing untold
natural resources the United States IS a
prize to excite the cupidity of might L is,
therefore, our business to see that the fruit
cannot be picked with impunity.
For the reasons stated above it is al
itself to stand alone in the modern world.
We must be able to defend our own from
attack and to accomplish this purpose we
must have some idea of possible enemies.
It requires4e, SEoPhs t'dRf insightts r me
the sources of danger or to fOresee Re Dos
sibility of4 coordination against tn EJhsged
States. -
The Signing of the AM Communist
pack by Germany, Italy and Japan. has
altered tbs foreign policies of practically
every nation in the world because intelli-
gent officials know that the blasts against
Communism are diversions to divert atEen-
ton from the main drive, the acquisition by
force of what these three nations desire.
Under the circumstances the people of the
United States must decide whether they
prefer an alliance with like-ninded people
or navy capable of making proper defense
of our country against any likely cOmbina-
ton of attackers.
That an alliance with Great Britain,
for example, would permit both nations 10
save money on naval expenditures is plain
but it is also quite likely to lead one or both
in a war not OF direct concern. 1t may be
the part of wisdom to continue along our
individual path, spend the money reason
ably necessary for adequate defense and
thus escape the greater expense that would
be ours if we became embroiled in Eng
lands wars.
On the other hand, we should consider
the possibility of becoming engaged IN
war that, at the beginning, would not in
clude the United States. This is exactly
what happened in the World war. If this
is to happen again then our adoption of
"lone-wolf'' policy would be unnecessarily
expensive, perhaps and we could save mon
ey by making common cause with demo-
cratic nations.
The other possibility to be considered
is the chance of peace that always exists
in the midst of troublesome and perplexing
information problems. It is just possible
that the nations OF the world will not fight,
even if at this time the probASAAy seems
slim. Sometimes events have a way of t X
ing a turn for the better3ald trlay be t At
world ATTAIN are TO move toward tbs pea
able settlenI ent 4fPt vent isilkAUf
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