Evening star., 1939-09-27

letter Is Slgned Dy an American OF
German ancestry he wants the en-
barge maintained so as to help Ger
many win the war The truth is
there is ample evidence to explain
just why Americans of German
birth or descent are much more
concerned about possible war
abroad than is any other single
group. Those of us who recall what
happened in the neutrality period
between 1914 and 1917 and immedi-
ately thereafter, when America en-
tered the war, know the grave in
justices which were visited upon
German-Americans The vast ma
jority, indeed the preponderant
number, syn1pathized with Germany,
but, the moment America entered
the war, their allegiance and loyalty
to the United States was unques-
tionable.
1t is true. nevertheless. that other
people looked with suspicion on
German Americans, and their plight
during the war was an uneasy and
uncomfortable one. 1t would not be
surprising if the German -Ameri-
cans of today were as eager to pre-
vent American entrance into the
war because of the unhappy rela-
tionships that might develop inside
America as from any feeling about
having to enter battle against blood
brethren.
Believe Repeal Means War.
This raises the point of whether
the repeal of the embargo will ac-
tually bring nearer or make more re-
mote the possible entrance into the
war. 1t would seem that many Ger
Americans have been persuad-
ed to believe that the lifting of the
embargo in synonymous with even
tual entrance of America into the
war. Actually, this view is not given
credence by international law ex-
perts. many of whom feel that the
question of American entrance into
the war will be decided on other is
sues altogether and might, indeed,
be the result only of provocation by
some belligerent. no matter what
laws are passed here.
The view has been advanced
among the proponents of the arms
embargo that to repeal the law
would incur Germany's ill-Will. But
the converse of this proposition is
that failure to supply Canada and
the British and French may mean
incurring the ill-will of the nations
which buy the most products and
have been closest to the United
States in the past. Whatever is
done about the present neutrality
statute is bound to result in some
ill-Will abroad, so the problem may
easily resolve itself into whether to
offend the democracies or the die
tatorships.
Emotional Stand Revealed.
The letters and kilograms which
are pouring in on Senators and Rep
resentatives show clearly that many
of the senders are emotionally af-
fected by war sympathies and that
many citizens have been accepting
the notion that, somehow or other,
to change the law is to drag Ameri-
ca into war.
The sponsors of such view have
not proved it. and neither can the
advocates of repeal prove that their
course will keep America out. But
there is one thing sure-the Ameri-
can groups of foreign origin are in a
difficult spot nowadays through cir
cumstances beyond their control
Thus large number of Irish
wi vii, 1u,or
anti-British are found urging men,
bers to keep the embargo though
they do not indicate they want this
done just to hurt Britain Some
members of Congress representing
large Irish districts are urging the
retention of the embargo just as are
some members from states where
large numbers of German -Ameri-
cans reside. Reports indicate also
that many Scandinavian-A Americans
are against any change in the exist
ing law.
Many Fail to Write.
These lines in Congress are being
assumed without taking into ac-
count the vast number of Irish
"a OF
Poles or CZechs who have not taken
the trouble to write to Washington
at all. Undoubtedly some foreign
money has been spent in America
to influence Americans and
others, but the importance of this
can easily be exaggerated, as ex-
perience before 1917 readily proves.
If German Americans write vehem-
emily to members of Congress urg-
ing retention of the law about the
embargo, it is because they have
been told. as have other Americans
OF Mayflower descent, that to
change the law is to involve the
United States in q possible war.
The biggest task before the advo-
Gates Of the cash-and-carry plan is
to convince their constituents the
new bill will do more to keep Ameri-
ca out Of war than the old law, and
that is what most members Of Con-
gress, irrespective of party, who IA
vor "cash and carry" sincerely be.
lieve, for it cannot be emphasized
too strongly that there is no disposi.
tion in any quarter here to fayo,
American entrance into the war or
any conceivable issue except a di.
rect attack on our defenses.
Reproduction Rights Reserved.)