Evening star., 1939-11-05

disturbing world peace. I emphasized
the importance Of not converting friendly
into unfriendly neutrals by blank and
sterile rejection Of peace talks.
The significance of Molotoff's speech
lies not in any threat to afford military
aid to Germany. He still processes his
determination to remain neutral. But
he has swallowed the whole of the Hitler
thesis as to the British and French re-
sponsibility for the continuance of the
war, and as to the motives of Britain and
France in refusing to discuss peace.
Shows Hostility to U. S.
He accuses us of prosecuting this war
for imperialistic ends while he forgets
his very recent conviction that Hitler
was a dangerous aggressor. He avows
his growing friendship with Germany
and he does not conceal-he proclaims
openly-his hostility toward the west
ern powers, including America.
Now that the struggle has already de-
veloped into beleaguerment where the
primary aim of the combatants Is to
starve their foe into surrender, this
changed attitude of mind must make
q considerable difference to the position
pend on the measure of sustenance 1t
receives from Russia in food and raw
material.
urge again the critical importance Of
our conciliating Russia. The Soviet
leaders are pioued and exasperated by
the indifference we have continuously
displayed toward their great country.
we have disdained their counsel and
proffers of assistance. It is not too late
to rectify these diplomatic blunders. But
no time should be lost in approaching
Russia in different tone and temper
from that hitherto displayed.
am genuinely delighted to learn that
we are willing to send an influential and
friendly mission to Moscow to arrange a
trade agreement for the mutual benefit
| of both countries. We need Russian
| commodities just as much as Germany
does-and we can pay for them.
| But earnestly trust the mission will
not conf1ne its conversations to the pur-
chase of timber, oil and wheat but that
1t will take soundings as to the possibility
of crying a halt to the impending hor-
rors on terms which will secure Europe
against further aggressions and wars.
Molotof still adheres to the Russian
policy of terminating this conflict by
peaceful methods.
New Hope in Embargo Repeal.
The European democracies watched
with a thrill of encouragement in their
hard struggle against aggression the pro-
ceedings in the American Congress on
the neutrality bill. 1t is not too much
to say that they were convinced that
the fate of liberty in Europe may be out
side Europe, depended on that measure
The democracies had been caught nap.
ping, and while the aggressors we're arm
ing with feverish energy, the friends O
liberty refused to give heed to the peril
Hence the shortcomings and deficiencie!
Of their equipment. It is not possible
during q war to catch up to an enemy
who has been preparing during our years
of Istlessness and complacence, unless
help comes to our dire need from other
lands. If the markets of the greatest
manufacturing country in the world were
closed against us, 1t might enable the
aggressors to reap the full reward OF
their preparedness. Deficiencies cannot
be speedily made up in the equipment
Of the champions of freedom.
That is why the action of the Amer
ican Senate and House of Representa-.
tives in supporting the Presidents pro.
posals is giving new hope to the op.
pressed democracies of Central Europ,
and to the great democratic states O.
Western Europe who have rallied to thei
aid. am convinced that the passage o
the neutrality bill into law will not pro.
long the war, but will create in German.
q public opinion favorable to conclusion
of an honorable peace.
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