Evening star., 1938-02-09
WASHINGTON OBSERVATIONS
BY FREDERIC WILLIAM VIE.

Demands at the Capitol for disclosure
of Roosevelt foreign policy espe-
cially any commitments to other powers,
revive suggestions that House and Sem
ate should have the right to cross
examine Government spokesmen on the
floors of Congress. Such procedure was
strongly advocated, among others. by
the late Franklin K. Lane. Secretary
Ct the Interior in the Wilson cabinet.
On account Of his British origin, Lane
might have been inspired by the fact
that such practice has long prevailed
in the mother of Parliaments at London.
The system of placing the prime min
lister and other cabinet officers on the
spot in the House of Commons, on either
domestic or foreign affairs, is one of
the most revered British institutions
Questions must be submitted at least
"a hours in advance. The government
reserves the right, frequently exercised,
to refuse answers on the ground that
to give information would not be con-
ducive to national welfare Often, when
an M. P. filings an impromptu interroga-
tory from the floor of the House,
cabinet minister takes refuge in the
reply: His majesty's government re-
quires notice of that question" Senator
Hiram Johnson's resolution requesting
Secretary Hull to clear up the mystery
OF an alliance, agreement or under
standing with Great Britain specifies
that the information is wanted onlv
II 1t be not incompatible with public
interest"
Because of the emphasis which iSola-
tionists always place on the United
States traditional opposition to 'en-
tangling alliances" many Americans
forget that, in laying down that doctrine,
George Washington did not inhibit tenn
porary understandings with foreign
powers. What he said in the Farewell
Address" was: 1T is our true policy
to steer clear of permanent alliances
with any portion of the foreign world"
Had Uncle Sam interpreted that in
junction as an embargo on alliances
under any circumstances, we would have
dishonored his sage admonition when
we associated" ourselves with the allies
in 1917. People who see things at night,
every time there's indication that the
State or Navy Department is hob
nobbing with its opposite number in
London, forget both history and present.
day conditions. The history they ignore
is that which was made in Manila Bay
40 years ago next May by Admiral Chi
chester of the British Navy and Admiral
George Dewey, U. S. N. Current events
that are overlooked in the same con-
nection are that the two English
speaking nations as Secretary Hull puts
it, are pursuing a parallel course"
which makes constant, intimate and
confidential exchanges between them
obvious, logical and mutually profitable.
Captain Royal E. 1ngersoll, director of
the War Plans Division of the Navy De-
partment, who recently conferred with
the British admiralty at the direction
of his chief, Admiral William D. Leahy,
chief of naval operations, is a native
Washingtonian. His official domicile is
La Porte, Ind, whence he was appointed
to Annapolis in 1901, as the son of the
late Rear Admiral Royal Rodney Inger-
soil. After receiving the World War
Navy Cross for organizing, developing
and administering the naval communi-
cations system, Captain Ingersol has
had 20 years of varied service ashore
and afloat, including Independent COM
mands at sea and assignment as chief
of staff of the commander in chief of
the United States Fleet. In 1885 Inger-
soil went to London with Admiral
Standley, chief of the American dele
cation at the naval conference, at which
Japan renounced limitation Of battle
ships and cruisers and sank the $50
ratio without trace. Captain Ingersolys
recent m1sdon In Europe tesadeS to the