Evening star., 1938-08-26
j. s. AND BRITAIN
NEAR TRADE PACT
Final Stage Of Talks Seen
With Signing by Middle
of September.
By H. r. BAUKHAGE,

The British American trade agree
ment, key OF Secretary Hull's reci-
procity arch, which so long was cata-
logued as the stone which the builders
rejected. is about to swing triumph
antly into place. Probably by the
middle of September. If not before.
No official of either side will con-
firm this statement. In fact, as far
as the public is concerned, the inn
preston has persisted that negotia-
tions remained in as impossible an
impaSse as ever. But it can be stated
definitely on the highest authority
that the way out has been discovered
and only a gracious gesture or two are
required before the pens will scratch
Well-informed observers of the last
phase of the negotiations believe that
polite but diplomatic subbornness on
both sides, rather than any real eco
nomic obstacles. have been standing
in the way Of final settlement. The
complicated American political situa-
ton, some believe, threw dust in the
eyes of the British. The latter know
that the administration. like their
own government, wants the deal to go
through.
The British. of course, have to some
degree a similar situation to face but
perhaps don't realize that while the
New Deal is willing to discount the
long-run effects of the walls of the
obJectors in this country, they can't
overlook them right at the moment.
The Americans realize thai Britain
is anxious to take any step which
would mean increased business with
America and the British know how
deeply Secretary Hull desires this par
ticular jewel in his free-trade crown.
This is why both sides had reason to
demands would have been met before
this.
Henry F. Grady of the United States
Tariff Commission, who has been close
to the whole reciprocity program,
treads very lightly when he talks Of
the negotiations. In fact. he doesn't
talk for publication at all
Shy at Admitting Optimism.
1t was, however, his opinion ex-
pressed to friends this summer in
Geneva which dampened the expec-
tations of the Americans who were
roofing for this handgrasp across the
seas. He said then that he was not
at all sure that the parleys would be
successful. 1t was an open secret that
in June. after the conversations had
been proceeding since late March. that
the American delegation felt that the
British aloofness made an approach to
middle ground impossible. This fact
and DR.. Grady's quoted opinion when
he was in Geneva taken together with
a very lukewarm report of progress or
lack Of it, delivered by Premier CHAM
berlain in the House of Commons,
poured water on most of the still
hopeful.
Since then nothing but silence has
leaked out Of the conferences. Still
no quotes. but now assurance that
behind closed doors all this time the
good work was going on
Alarmists who have feared that the
agreements might imply entangling al
liances on the side may be permitted
to quiet their fears if the assurance
of reliable authorities is guarantee
There is no danger that Uncle Sam
has made any promises about war
debts, benef1cent neutrality in case
of war or other such extraneous con-
siderations.
Nor was Britain's desire to make
showing of closer relations with
America as a warning to the totali-
tartan states a consideration Of i'm
portance As a matter of fact. those
in this country hopeful Of concluding