The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1939-02-16
THE BIGGEST ARGUMENT IN Amer

( Ess i i ! s.s (
=. THE BIGGEST ARGUMENT IN Amer
lea today, one which makes new deal versus
old deal and the size of the relief budget
shrink to peanut proportions, concerns our
foreign policy Whether we should align
ourselves with our natural allies, the demo-
cracies, as an added barrier real or implied,
to the growth of totalitariapism or whether
we should steadfastly refuse to take more
than an observant and entirely neutral in
terest in world affairs, particularly the
affairs of Europe, is moot question.
On the side of the neutrals is our ex-
perience in the past war. The sympathetic
attitude toward the allies, which eventually
drew us into what was really their battle, is
being widely decried today as it was oppos-
ed then by a comparatively few who lived
to exult in their superior Judgment when
peace terms were not so ideally aimed to-
ward future peace as our leaders had plan
ned-and when war and reconstruction debt
payments lapsed.
Many on the neutral side would let
European affairs entirely alone, allow our
selves. to be bullied out of markets not only
in Europe but on any other continents. They
would particularly guard against propa-
ganda which played such a prominent part
in getting us into the World war.
On the other side are those who feel a
regarded with honor or even with safety. In
general this group would not send armed
forces to support the democracies of Europe
at the outset of another great war but they
would have this country supply food, ma
terials, equipment and ammunition at once
in case of war, on credit if necessary Such
participation would necessitate fighting with
the democracies if, as in the last war, they
found themselves unable to win without
soldiers as well as supplies.
Our unfortunate experience of 20 years
ago tends to make average citizens, partic-
ularly us midde-westerners, isolationists. It
accounts for the Juror over the president S
reported, and denied, statement "Our Front
Ter is the Rhine" and the clamor for an
avowed neutral policy. Extremists have
urged that a referendum be required before
congress can declare war and want other
measures to tie the hands of those elected to
handle public affairs, including diplomatic
matters. - So
On one point alone is agresnslie quite
general We must be prepared for any
emergency. Beyond that the public must
realize that little safety is given by neutral
ity laws which can be repealed as readily as
passed, or simply evaded. There is no added
security in an avowed policy of isolation
which would encourage DULLES to proceed
against friends so renowned or to further
,usurp our markets. Greater security exists
in public insistence that men of firm inclina-
lions toward peace but with a wide know
ledge of the situation be maintained in Of
flee. Secretary Hull is today's outstanding
example of the type of official needed.
.
IN VIEW OF ALL THE TALK ABOUT
highway department inefficiency in recent
years, the bureau of public roads report from
l,4
to Texas in the mileage of federal aid roads
built IN the six months period ending Jan
uary 1, is interesting.
Much capital has been made of the fact
that construction of concrete roads here has
diminished in recent years as the depart
ment tried to appeaSe demands from all sec
lions for hard surfacing by using cheaper
ibituminous treatment. We know from ex-
perience in this locality that this experiment
frequently has been costly and giving of
little permanent satisfaction.
Minnesota will regret eventually any
lapse in its road building program, particul-
arly while federal funds are available The
department might see to it that more labor
is provided per dollar by avoiding relocation
jobs where right-of-way is likely to expen-
slve and it would be wise to concentrate on
building permanently where cheaper meth
DDS lead to increased maintenance expense
and the heavy investment for permanent
surfacing is only postponed.
JOHNaZWACH BEGS TO BE FORGIV-
en- for not writing a column on legislative
events this week, due to press of official
business. He adds, have introduced bill
in the house on printing of welfare board
proceedings--in other words the relief lists
wanted by township taxpayers in this county
16 to l year ago. In that case you're ex-
cused John, but for the sake of interested
readers, try not to let it happen often.
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS SAYS ONE
prominent lawmaker laughed when it was
suggested that legislative investigation
committee hearings might be private and
pointed to the rush of legislators to get on