Evening star., 1939-06-07
Diplomats Ponder
Political Purposes
OF Kings Visit
Speculation Increased
By Arrival at Time
Of Serious Problem
BY the Associated Press.

Of Serious Problem
By the Associated Press.
The visit King George of England
will pay to Washington this week
will be subjected to microscopic
scrutiny by numerous diplomats
trying to figure out its political pur-
poses and effects.
Scarcely a person in the Govern
ment or diplomatic corps but has
asked himself-and others-the
question:
why is the King coming here
and what does he expect to get out
OF it?"
The British Ambassador, Sir Rom
aid Lindsay, told a press confer
ence recently that there was only
one political purpose behind the
visit-to improve the friendly rela-
tions existing between the two
countries.
Made at Crucial Time.
But the fact that the first visit
Of reigning British monarch to the
United States is made at one of the
most critical periods in the history
of the British empire cannot but
stir the thoughts of international
politicians. His majesty arrives in
Washington as his ministers fran
tically grid up Britain's loins in his
name and hastily seeks allies for a
possible showdown with the Rome
Berlin axis.
He comes at moment, too, when
the United States itself is engaged
in the greatest peacetime arma-
ments program in its history-hav-
ing in mind, as its own military au-
thorities have testified before con-
gressional committees, the very
nations that alarm Great Britain.
He comes at the instant Congress
Is considering a change in the Neu-
trality Act. which in effect would
enable Britain to get arms and
munitions in the United States in
time of war.
All these facts may be merely
condolences, but this does not pre-
vent their having weight in the
political scales and world politicians
will searchingly endeavor to assay
them.
Foreign Office Not Represented.
King George, it may be taken for
granted, will do everything in his
power by word and deed to prevent
his visit from assuming the aspect
of political mission. His elder
brother, the Duke of Windsor, was
noted as Great Britain's premier
salesman, but George vi may be
counted upon to avoid any appear
ance of trying to sell the United
States on Great Britain. Any hint
of craftsmanship might we'll pro-
duce an opposite effect. Signifi-
cantly, his majesty is not accom-
panied by any official of the British
foreign office.
1t is scarcely to be supposed that
King George will not have occasion
to talk international politics with
President Roosevelt and Secretary
Hull. He will have many hours with
the Secretary of State during the
ride down from the border, with
President Roosevelt and Secretary
Hull during the two days in WASH
ington and with the President dur
ing the quiet Sunday at Hyde Park.
Nor can any one doubt that the
King and the President will discuss
naval subjects. Both are fond Of
ships and the sea- The President
was Assistant Secretary of the Navy
during the World War, while the
King was a sub lieutenant at the
Battle of Jutland. United States
naval rearmament has been well
coined in Britain, jealous in former
centuries of her primacy on the
seas, just as Britain's rearmament
has been hailed as stabilizing
force by many quarters here.
War Debts Moot Point.
The problems outstanding be-
tween the two nations are few. On
January l trade agreement was
entered, designed to increase their
already enormous mutual trade.
War debts probably will continue
q moot point for years to come,
since Britain is pouring her ready
finances into a long-term rearma-
ment program. 1t is most unlikely
that the question of debt payment
will be raised by any one in the
two official parties during the royal
visit.
Britain and the United States re-
Gently settled amicably a contro-
versy over ownership of two strate-
gically located Pacific Ocean islands
Canton and Enderbury, on the air
line between California and Aus
tralia. The two governments agreed
on partnership calling for joint
management.
What judgment international
statesmen may reach as to the re-
suits of the visit can only be guessed
at, but some quarters here think ii
may:
l. Improve the already friendly
relations between the two countries
2. Increase American sympathies
for Great Britain at moment
when England is striving to cir
cumscribe Adolf Hitler's expansion
3. Dispose Congress toward new
neutrality act.
Form a Washington -Ottawa-Lon-
don moral axis.