Evening star., 1939-10-11

press QlSpaCCneS DaV1d Lawrence.
from Berlin stating that Germany
would look with favor on American
mediation for the receipt of some
official confirmation of that fact.
Disappointment is quite general
hereabouts that the "feelers" from
Berlin were not followed up in some
formal way by the German govern
ment. Indeed, it is pointed out that
Mr.. Roosevelt's message of earlier
this year designed to bring about
security in Europe were never for
mally answered, but were discussed
in public speech by Herr Hitler
and not acknowledged promptly in
the customary way.
This earlier episode, however, has
no bearing on present feeling. The
President would doubtless be glad.
indeed, to tender the services of the
United States Government in the
cause Of immediate peace, but Ger
man officials must recognize that he
cannot do so purely on the basis of
informal press dispatches.
Might Handicap Bill.
Mr.. Roosevelt is especially dis
inclined to take any initiative now,
when there is pending in Congress
bill amending the existing embargo
on arms, for already as soon as Ber-
lin dispatches began mentioning
peace negotiations, there has been
movement in the Senate to side
track the proposed change in the
neutrality statute.
The vote on the motion of Senator
Tobey, Republican, of New Hamp-
shire to send the pending bill back
to the Senate Foreign Relations
Committee is, of course, pleasing to
the President because it shows IS
votes for his position, as contrasted
with only 26 against him. While it
may be argued that this was not a
test on the final issues, it is being
construed as such by most people in
Washington, who recognize that if
the forces opposed to the embargo
change had been in the majority
and the motion had passed, it would
have been the end of neutrality leg
islation at this special session Of
Congress.
Initiative May Follow.
AS soon as the legislation now
pending is disposed of in accord
ance with the wishes of the Repub-
lican-Democratic coalition which is
sponsoring it, there may be a chance
for more initiative than the Presi-
dent is willing to exhibit now with
reference to peace negotiations. 1t
may be pointed out, for example,
that President Wilson did not wait
for any formal hints from either
side before he attempted to express
a formula for peace. and that he did
not seem to mind the criticism that
was leveled at him by both sides
when he urged peace, especially on
occasions when each side considered
such proposals to be premature.
There can be no doubt that Mr..
Roosevelt will in due course express
to the belligerents the desire of the
entire neutral world that hostilities
be brought to an early end, but this
week is not considered opportune.
1t is suggested, for instance, that
the first series of speeches begun by
Herr Hitler, continued by Premier
Daladier and to be concluded by
Prime Minister Chamberlain. will
constitute in themselves an exchange
of views. Until the essential points
in these addresses are fully an
swered, it is regarded here as inop-
perfume for the United States to
approach any of the belligerent gov
ernments.
Next Week May Be Opportune.
Next week, when all the speeches
have been examined to determine
whether there is In any of them a
basis for negotiations, the position
of the American Government might
be different, though here again it
may be emphasized that without
some official basis for action, the
President is disinclined to do any,
thing at ALL
The eagerness of the Government
here to bring about peace cannot be
doubted, and Germany has but to
say the word to the President and
the machinery for the making of an
armistice will be instantly set in
motion.
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