The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-12-01

OClA1ON1 dV0.
The COP convention always has
come first. But this year the
change was considered worth while
In order to see whom the Demo-
Gratis nominated. and thus better
guage the type of Republican can
didate who could beat him.
However, certain Democratic
politicos have now thrown a mon
key-wrench into this idea. They
have quietly but definitely in
formed Republican leaders that
If the COP convention Is post
poned, the Democrats, In turn.
will postpone their convention
from June to September.
And when you consider the facts
1t looks as II the Democrats mean
business. For, the longer the Re-
publicans delay picking their can
didates and getting their campaign
under way, the better 1t will be
for the Democrats. The latter
have their organization ready,
and their platform will be the
record OF the New Deal.
The Republicans. however, will
not only have to draw up their
platform, but must carry 1t To the
people. This will take time, and
they can't afford To wait until
September.
CHARLIE MCCARTHY
White House favor means Moth
ing to Edgar Bergen Charlie Nc
Carthy).
When the National Press club
made preparation for their an
nual dinner honoring the Presi-
dent, they asked Roosevelt what
American entertainer he would
most like to hear. The answer was
Charlie Mccarthy.
Promptly wire went 10 Holly
wood, telling Bergen Of the Presi-
dents desire TO hear him. and ask
ing him to come to the dinner.
A note of caution was added that
Bergen should not exploit this APP
pearance to his own advantage.
To the dismay OF the Press
Club officers. the reply came that
Bergen was about to start pro-
duction Of new picture and could
not come.
JAPANESE DILEMMA
Swift diplomatic teamwork was
played by the State Department
and the Japanese Foreign Once
last week when Under Secretary
Of State Welles raped the jap
anese government Of the knuckles
and warned 1t to reform In China.
What no one outside the State
Department knew was that the
Tokyo Foreign ONCE had been
warned In advance that this rap
was coming and Is understood to
have approved.
This may sound like weird d.
plomacy, but what Welles was
aiming at was TO strengthen the
hand Of the moderate civilian ele-
ments inside the Japanese goven-
ment, weaken the hold Of the mill
tary.
It happens that ill-feeling be-
tween the military and the navy
civilian group Is almost as bitter
in Japan as the feeling toward
China. It Is even feared that
fascist notebooks among the
young army officers may assas-
sinate civilian government leaders
and set up a complete dictator
ship.
However, II also happens that
the chief thing which worries
the japanese military Is Ameri-
can pOlicy-especially when 1t Is
.bare-fisted and tough. This Is
what Roosevelt's policy in the
Far East consistently has been.
Fortnight statements by Ambas-
sador Grew and Sumner Welles
criticizing Japan, plus the u. s.
Navy at Hawaii, have made
Tokyo worry.
Today, the Japanese army is
staging one last desperate effort
t. recoup its prestige and prove
that 1t can win In China. That
is what is behind the drive to cut
off Chang Kai-shek's munitions
route in South China. II this
drive fails, you can look for major
Internal troubles In Japan around
next January.
McNUTT'S BRAIN TRUST
Federal Security Administrator
Paul McNutt has quietly gathered
around him a Brain Trust rival
ing that Of Roosevelt IN the balrni-
est days Of Professor Moley.
McNutt's Brain Trust. It should
be noted, Is not political, but for