Evening star., 1939-12-17
Senseless Restrictions

In marked contrast to the inef-
fectual resolutions adopted by the
League of Nations at the time of
China's invasion by Japan, the Sec
retariat Of the League has taken the
lead in organizing real and effective
assistance for the Firms in their gal
liant resistance to Russia's war Of
conquest
Taking cognizance Of the Soviet
boast that any one desiring to aid
Finland must do 50 Immediately, the
secretariat has made speedy action
the keynote Of its program. The
Finnish government has been invited
to submit list Of its most urgent
needs-a list expected to include re-
quests for military, financial and
medical support-and experts in each
of these fields already have been
appointed to insure the most expe-
ditious handling of the detailed Fin
nish appeal when 1t Is submitted to
the League.
There is a significance in this de-
termined and feverish activity on the
part of the normally lethargic
League which should not be lost
upon the Government and the peo-
pie of the United States. Simply
stated, 1t is this: The officials Of the
League. profiting from past mistakes,
have learned that aid for small
states, If 1t is to serve any useful
purpose, must come before they have
been overrun by an invader. The
height of futility is reached in rush.
ing to the aid of a country when it
has ceased to exist.
This is a fact that cannot be
emphasized too strongly in the
United States at this time. There
can be no question Of Americas pro-
found sympathy for Finland, nor is
1t to be doubted that the vast ma
tority Of the American people are
anxious to translate their sympathy
into some form of effective assist
ance for. the Films. But If we are
to extend the type of aid that Fin
land most urgently needs we must
do so without delay
Agencies of this Government al
ready have arranged for a $4,000 900
loan to Finland, but the loan, in
keeping with our present policy in
the matter of extending foreign
credits, is subject to the restrictions
that it must be used only for nom
military purposes. This policy
which has no statutory basis-is
subject to defect that plaques all
efforts to bind ourselves in advance
to a rigid course Of action in the
conduct of our external relations.
At the time such program is
adopted 1t may seem to serve our
purposes, but it can become fan
tastically illogical when applied to
particular cases as they arise in the
future.
Our attitude toward Finland is an
excellent case in point. We are per-
fectly willing to lend the Firms
money to repair the damage done by
Russian bombers, but, under exist
ing policy, we may not supply them
with funds for the purchase of fight
ing planes and anti-aircraft guns
which might enable them to repel
the bombers before further damage
is done. In other words, we are ad-
herring to a policy which permits us
to administer restoratives to the
Firms after they have been dealt a
staggering blow, but which forbids
us to do anything that might help
them ward of another such blow.
It is policy which defeats its own
purpose and does violence to the
assumption-if any such there be
that common sense enters into the
conduct OF our foreign relations.
Under all of the circumstances OF
this case the administration is
clearly Justified, If not morally obli-
gated, to except Finland from the
effect Of its general policy. If it be
felt that Congress ought to be con-
suited, that can and should be done,
but we must keep this fact in mind:
Speed is Of the essence. Needless
delay in removing senseless restric-
tions from loans to the Firms may
well nullify the purpose Of extending
any aid, for, despite the valiant
struggle she has been waging, Fin
land cannot be expected to hold out
tor long against the great odds she
is facing unless her will to tight for
her own independence is fortified by
enabling her to acquire the neces-
sary instruments Of modern war.
WRIGHT Duv