Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1939-11-12
Nations Bombing Civilians Face
Moral Embargo by Americans
Lives of Thousands of Defenseless in Europe Nav
Be Saved by Public Opinion Which Would
Check Sales of Planes
By Garrett D. Homer

IL II vVCV
to such forms Of warfare anyway. Even
IN the absence Of such q nat policy they
would not want to risk outraging public
opinion here. But the moral embargo
serves as q realistic stop" sign, giving
the public sentiment here a practical
expression.
This sentiment also has been con-
MISUNDERSTANDING the gloved big
stick" Of the less formal moral en-
barge" declaration-by President Roose-
welt to the countries now engaged in the
European war.
AS soon as he heard the Nazis were in
vading Poland, the President sent mes.
sages to the governments Of Great Brit
ain, France, Italy, Germany and Po-
land, appealing to them not to lombard
from the air civilian populations or un-
fortified cities. Italy replied that she
was neutral. The belligerent govern
ments all agreed that they would refrain
from such unrestricted aerial warfare
provided their opponents lived up to tho
same rules.
Germany was guilty of bombing open
and unfortified villages and their civilian
populations in Poland, American Am.
bassador Anthony j. Drexel Biddle in.
formed the State Department before he
left the country. But so far there has
been no report of such bombings in
England, France and Germany.
The moral embargo naturally does
not have the practical effect on Germany
that 1t does on the allies, since Germany
is not in the market for American
planes.
May Even Halt Germans.
But 1t Is likely that even the Nazis
would stop and think great deal be-
fore arousing American public opinion
TO even more positive action in favor of
the allies than 1t already has taken with
opening American munition markets to
them.
Ihere might be boomerang effect in
which this country would not shut of
American planes to the British and
French if they resorted to bombing open
cities only in retaliation for something
that Germany started first. Realization
OF this possibility might serve to cause
all the belligerents to exercise extra care
In trying to keep their bombs from fall.
Ing on civilian populations.
Recognition of the necessity of some.
times fighting fire with fire was implied
by Secretary Hull in recent press con-
terence comment on why this country
OLD not maintain an embargo on export
OF poison gases, since we condemned
their use. He did not comment directly
on the question, but recalled the story
OF the young Southerner who Dragged
to friend at the outbreak of the Civil
War that the Confederates could whip
the Yankees with cornstalks. After the
war was over the friend reminded him
OF the boast. His reply was that tho
Yankees would not fight with cornstalks.
Thanks Due to America,
Even if the warning nations in Europe
won't fight with cornstalks, there is q
growing hope here that the civilian
populations of London, Paris and Berlin
may be spared wholesale aerial bombings.
And If they are spared, there will be
some thanks due to the moral embargo"
backing up the sentiment of Americans
as expressed by President Roosevelt in
his September message to the warning
governments; in these words:
1.-THE ruthless bombing from the air
OF civilians in unfortified centers of
population during the course of the hos
tilities which have ragged in various quar-
tiers Of the earth during the past few
years, which has resulted in the main.
ing and in the death of thousands of de-
fenseless men, women and children, has
sickened the hearts of every civilized
man and woman, and has profoundly
shocked the conscience of humanity.
III resort Is had to this form of in
human barbarism during the period Of
the tragic conhagration with which the
world is now confronted, hundreds Of
thousands Of innocent human beings who
have no responsibility for, and who are
not even remotely participating in, the
hostilities which have now broken out.
will lose their lives"