Evening star., 1939-08-24

41Oill UllC AlllGl- D"fAo
lean Embassies and Legations
abroad has consistently been to
the effect that the powers of Eu-
rope were going-to reach a climax
in their jockeying for advantage
this summer. That was one of the
reasons President Roosevelt didn't
want Congress to postpone action
on the neutrality law revision. In
deed, he was of the opinion that
a war might be prevented if the
Congress notified the world this
summer that any nation could
come to America and buy war sup
plies in time of war.
just how much the refusal of
the American Congress to repeal
the arms embargo encouraged
Chancellor Hitler to strike this sum-
mer, on the theory that the Con-
gress was adjourned and could not
be summoned back in time to per-
init the allies to get assurances of
continuous flow of American war
materials, is one of those questions
that probably will never be answered
But the fact is Berlin is moving into
action in late August as predicted
by high officials here.
The decision of the President to
return to Washington, cutting his
vacation trip, does not mean that
a call for an extra session will be
made at once. Rather there will be
a tendency now on the part of the
administration to let events force
the issue. For many of the critics
of the President have broadly ac-
cused him of stirring up the war
talk, especially when he permitted
his Ambassadors to talk conf
dentially to the Senate members.
America Wants No War.
Was the President, therefore, I'M
duly alarmed? The evidence this
week shows that he feared the very
contingencies which have arisen,
and, now that the crisis is coming
to head, the hope here is that
some way may yet be found to bring
about peaceful solution without
the necessity of any further steps in
Washington at this time This feel
ing prevails because the mere call
ing of special session is likely to
produce certain effects abroad and
give rise to possible impression of
American participation when there
is no such intention.
The American people have indi-
Gated as clearly as public opinion
can possibly outline it that they do
not want the United States dragged
into war. But the furnishing of
war materials is something which is
in a different category, and, as
pointed out in these dispatches
earlier this week, if Canada is to
become the base of supply for the
British and French it may we'll be
that American economic interests
will be directly affected, especially
in the possible emigration of skilled
workmen, of whom there is a scar
city already. This may indirectly
affect American wage scales.
The underlying thought here is that
war is not going to materialize this
summer, though it is recognized an
untoWard event may set the sparks
flying at any moment The Russian
maneuvers have been watched with
intense interest, but it cannot be
said that they are unexpected. Dip
lomatic information here for some
time has been to the effect that
Germany and Russia were apt at
any time to draw closer together.
Whole Scene Altered.
While it is assumed that Russia
has not directly allied herself with
Germany, but has in effect declared
herself out of any combat, it is real
lied that third party actions may
change the whole picture. Perhaps
the most interesting immediate ef-
feet is on American public opinion.
Up to now the pro-Ally sympathiz-
ers have had to contend with the
argument that the British were TAX
ing unto their bosom Communistic
country and that Communism was
Just as bad as Fascism. Today Com
munism and Fascism being put, so
to speak, on the same side of the
fence creates new complications for
those who have been defending the
Franco idea in Spain.
The whole scene has been to some
extent altered for the United States.
Japan has become doubtful about
joining up with Rome and Berlin be-
cause a possible estrangement with
Britain is concerned. Japan cannot
count too strongly any more on
Berlin friendship because the Rus
sian alliance is of more immediate
value to Berlin.
So. with Japan hesitant about get
ting into the European muddle, and
Russia declaring herself virtually
neutral, the showdown will have to
come along as between the British