Evening star., 1939-07-31
Neutrality Problems
Historically Reviewed
Departure From Established
Gosh and Cory Policy
Is Opposed

Gosh and Cory Policy
Is Opposed
To the Editor of The Star:
Torrents Of words have been flowing
like water over dam, stimulating pred
JUDGES and confusing the facts pertain
ing to the neutrality legislation which
has been pending before Congress.
Briefly, the issue resolves itself into ap-
praising the practical application Of a
neutrality law resulting from one of the
following proposals: Cd Continue the
of conducting business as usual, thus per-
mitting all belligerent nations to send
their own ships to United States ports,
assume title to cargoes Of implements of
war and transport them to the ports Of
their countries at their own risk. This
impartial "cash and carry" method would
relieve the United States of all RESPONSE
bility. CD Enact a law placing an en-
barge on the export of arms, ammu-
milton and implements of war against all
nations at war.
This second proposal would be de-
parture from established practice in in
ternational law and constitute an overt
act of discrimination against all bellig-
erent states on both sides.
Germany, italy and Japan would be
offended II we continued business as
usual and sold implements Of war to all
customers on an impartial basis, because
British and French control of the high
seas would drive the ships of the totali-
tartan nations of the trade routes thus
denying the latter access to the United
States market.
Britain and France would be equally
offended and resentful if an embargo
were placed on the shipment of arms
ammunition and implements of war,
because it would exclude the democra-
cies from the American market, con-
trary to established practice.
The issue before Congress therefore
is very simple. Which one of the two
groups of powers would be the more
inclined and capable of transforming its
wrath into retaliation, thus forcing the
United States into war against its will?
The answer is quite obvious that
neither group of belligerent powers
would dare cut OF its nose to spite its
face.
During the World War the British
blockade Of Germany became effective
Immediately and continued so from Au-
gust, 1914, to the end of the war while
England and France purchased imple-
ments Of war from the United States.
Germany did not dare send her subma-
rines across the Atlantic to retaliate by
sinking American ships. On the con-
trary, she tried to placate the United
States and would have been much graft
fled if the United States had consented
to the establishment of the restricted
submarine zone" and had remained neu-
trail.
1t was not the selling of implements
OF war to the allies that caused the
United States to enter the World War
but rather it was Presidents Wilson's
requirement that American ships and
allied and neutral ships carrying Amer
ican passengers in the war zone be
SA'Sh aoS OClOIc UCulR SuIlk
which procedure would have nullified
Germany's last great weapon designed
for victory. Germany's refusal to obey
the Presidents demand caused the
United States to enter the war against
the central powers.
The prospective future world war now
being discussed would keep Germany and
Italy so busy in the great struggle with
England, France and Russia that it
would be reckless in the extreme for
the totalitarian powers to send squad
rons of aircraft to bomb American cities
or f1otillas of submarines to torpedo
our ships in American waters.
However, should such an inconceiv-
able dash actually be made to Amer
ican territory, our Navy and air force
could easily defend our homeland with
out necessarily entering the European
theater of operations.
England and France would not be
strong enough to use armed force against
the United States in retaliation against
an embargo upon arms and implements
of war. But due to the proximity of
SnAldOd IL Id ullClllllhdUlC tIlC Ollleu
States would restrict commerce with her,
especially as President Roosevelt has de-
clared our intention to guarantee her
territorial integrity.
The historically important three-cor-
nered trade no doubt would be renewed
Bootlegging of commodities would be ac-
complished by shipping implements of
10 tod -, ~, I.
not enacted an embargo and which would
cooperate with the democracies in cir
convention of the embargo provision of
our neutrality act.
Therefore, it is very unwise to depart
from our long established policy of cash
and carry" in force since the advent of
the Republic. MAURY BOYKIN.
July q.
Passage of Anti-Alien