Evening star., 1939-03-04

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significance. The n.u;s ,,
Senate and
House are approving the biggest mil
itary expenditures since the World
War. A determined majority Of
overwhelming proportions insists
that America shall take no step en-
tangling the United States in war.
And nobody here wants war.
The Presidents theory is that ade-
uuate armament will prevent war.
Those who have been accusing him
of cherishing political motives for
1910 by dragging us into war will
find no corroboration among the
Democrats here, most of whom see
q bigger political advantage in hav-
ing kept the peace and having saved
the United States from war. If by
1910 the chances of war have been
considerably diminished, the Demo-
Gratis will be claiming credit for
having averted the catasthrope.
World politics continue to be
powerful force and influence in
American policy. The belief that
military and naval preparation on
our part will bolster up the cause of
the democracies is widely held here,
Notwithstanding the protestations on
every side that no intention exists
ever to send an army overseas
Pope's Election Significant
But the most significant mani
festation came during the last few
days when the cardinals at Rome
elected a new Pope. Ordinarily the
Government of the United States
has little concern with such an event.
There are no diplomatic relations be-
tween this Government and the
Vatican and no special problems
have arisen between them.
Yet the selection of a new pontiff
meant more to the foreign policy of
the United States than appears on
the surface. The assurance that the
constructive policies of the late Pope
would be continued by his successor
has distinct bearing on American
efforts to maintain peace. The
Church of Rome always has been
tremendous force for peace, but at
no time has it been more important
to the Democracies of the world that
the great voice which has been
speaking from Rome these last few
years should not be hushed by the
passing of a great statesman. The
man who has been elected Pope
knew every detail of Vatican policy
every influence in the world for and
against democratic institutions and
every aspect of the perplexing prob
lens which make Catholics and non-
Catholics the world over look with
hope to the continuance of the mes
sages of tolerance and good will
which can come from the pen of the
pontiff.
Anxious Days for Democracies.
Perhaps it was the news that the
totalitarian states we're seeking to
express through their inspired press
editorials a wish for a different
policy at the Vatican, if not differ
ent kind of Pope, which put the
democracies on edge as the impend-
ing election was surveyed. The
unanimity indicated by the short
ness of the balloting and the selec-
ton of the man who was closest to
the late Pope caused wave of graft
fication here 1t can be noted in
the unusual nature of the personal
message sent by President Roosevelt
to the new Pope, based, to be sure,
on a recollection of the latter's visit
to the United States, but signifl-
cantly mentioning the personal re-
lationship as if to convey the sense
of relief felt here that Vatican pol
icy will be unaltered.
In background of apprehension
about events abroad and deep con-
Germ over the fact that the economic
situation in the United States is far
from clear, the President had an
opportunity to express the principles
and implications of future policy on
the occasion, this day, of the 150th
anniversary of the meeting of the
first Congress. The coincidence of
that birthday with the sixth ami
versary of his Inauguration gave
Washington many reason for ret
respect
Two kinds of review and appraisal
the personal and the impersonal-
filled the very air hereaboutS. Parti-
sans. political and economic, differed
considerably in their evaluation OF
the Roosevelt record. But there was
and is little difference of opinion
about the importance of the next
18 months as the crucial period for
the Democratic party-the period
within which there must be sub
stantial recovery or political change
will come again in 1910, IN all
branches of the Government.
(Copyright. 1939J