Evening star., 1939-07-19


inclination to adjust or compromise
differences of opinion and let the
vacation season begin for the legis-
lators.
Members of Congress in the past
have stayed here all through the
= summer when critical situations
have arisen, but the only thing that
could prolong the present session
the neutrality bill seems to be aban-
doned The fact that events in
Europe seem to be in state of dead
lock between the rival groups has
lately developed the impression on
Capitol Hill that no great risks
would be taken if the Congress ad-
journed subject to possible call of
an extra session in the autumn
whenever European developments
required it.
Presidents Sources Secret.
- President Roosevelt's information
as to what might happen in Europe
any day is derived from secret
sources. In the last year he usually
has known from two to three weeks
in advance whenever something was
stirring in Europe that might pro-
vide crisis. Naturally the Presi-
dent cannot make public what in
formation he has because TO do SO
might provoke the very situation
which other nations may be seeking
to avert. American Ambassadors
and Ministers abroad, in fact. the
Army and Navy intelligence sys-
TENS. are constantly gathering in
formation as to what is likely to
happen.
Therefore, Mr. Roosevelt's aban-
donment for this session of his fight
to get neutrality bill through ap-
pears to be an indication that
his information did not forecast an
immediate crisis and that nothing
would be lost from an American
viewpoint in delaying neutrality leg
iSlation for several months. The
argument has been made, on the
other hand, that the action of the
Congress of the United States is
Itself related to what might happen
in Europe. Thus, it is contended
by some of our observers abroad
that a straightaway repeal of re-
strictions and return to interna-
tional law would be notice to Europe
that America is not likely to shut
off vital raw materials to either side
which could pay for it and come and
get 1t. Such step would be re-
garded as encouraging to the de-
mocracies and, in that sense. dis
couraging to the warmakers-
namely. the dictator states.
For it is an odd commentary on
the whole European situation that
not a single one of the democratic
powers is suspected of any desire
for war and that whether or not
singled out as such by formal proc
lamation, the aggresSor states are
we'll known. Under these circum-
stances the knowledge that aggres-
sion may possibly be prevented if
1t is known that American war sup
plies will be shipped abroad may
play part in stopping war.
Moral Support Attitude.
The administration from the first
has tried to make it clear that it
wanted to render moral support and
did not wish in any way to commit
the United States to participation in
, any war The President has been
represented as believing that even ii
European war did break out, the
American people would demand that
every effort be exerted to keep the
United States out of it.
Neutrality discussion has been for
many months in the minds of the
legislators and it is regrettable that
the administration did not push for
passage of revised law earlier this
session. Today the subject can
hardly be removed from conSidera-
ton by mere poStponement of
action by Congress. 1t has become
matter of Importance abroad as we'll
as at home. With some sort of tenn
porary truce or adjustment of the
method of handling neutrality law
revision-for something will have to
be done about it in the next six or
eight months-the Congress will find
itself moving swiftly to dispose OF
other pending bills. Some investiga-
tons will be voted and will take place
during the recess. One of these is an