Evening star., 1939-08-18

there would be tension manifest
here. The President would be re-
turning to Washington. Warnings
would be in process of preparation
to Americans to hurry home out of
the danger zones and altogether
there would be considerable senti-
ment in favor of bringing Congress
back here to revise the neutrality
laws.
The impression that Europe can
weather this crisis as it has
Weathered others is becoming in
grained. The feeling prevails that
Great Britain has more to risk to-
dav by war than she would have a
wear or so hence when her military
and naval preparations would be
further along. Likewise the skill of
the British in working out diplo-
matte solutions of other veXing
problems has set up a sort of con-
fidence in the capacity of the
British cabinet to avert war at this
time.
Concessions or War.
Opponents, of course, of the
Chamberlain regime will refer to
any peaceful settlement as another
Munich" and already there are
published reports of expected criti-
cism if the British make concessions,
but it is difficult to see how war is
to be averted if some concessions
are not made.
The Chamberlain policy has been
one of deliberate procraStination in
order to bring the military prepara-
tions up to such point that the
axis powers would not dare to force
a war on Europe. There is no sign
that the British government has any
wish to let the crisis in Europe
materialize to the point of war at
this time.
The Danzig question is by nc
means unsolvable The addition of
extra demands, such as the inclusion
of the Polish Corridor, may be taken
to mean that the Berlin government
recognizes the position of the Cham
berlain government which cannot
assent to the return of Danzig to
Germany except as part of gen.
eral peace program. The Hitler
strategy, therefore has been to ask
for more than will be given.
The mere fact that Hitler has put
out new demands is perhaps the
best indication that diplomatic or
bargaining process is anticipated by
Berlin rather than beginning of
actual hostilities. Somewhat the
same attitude may be expected from
Poland, whose government cannot
publicly indicate a willingness to
compose the Danzig question at this
stage of the game when it is not
known how far the German de-
mands really might go.
So far as the United States Gov
ernment is concerned, the wish oi
the American people for strict neu-
trality is being granted. There is
no evidence of pressure from any
source upon the Washington Gov
ernment to involve the United States
In any future war, and the myth
that the President was being in.
fluenced to bring on war in ordel
to get himself reelected is gradually
vanishing as it becomes more ane
more apparent here in connection
with domestic events that Mr. Roose
welt Is not going to make single
move to bring about his own re-
nomination.
Hull At Helm.
Americas foreign policy is being
made by Cordell Hull. Secretary O
State. 1t is typically American
policy in the sense that importan
decisions are made without asking
any European power. Thus the Of
fetal abrogation notice to terminate
the Japanese American commercial
treaty was sent without the Slightes
inkling to any European govern
ment.
Mr.. Hull has the complete conf.
lence of the President. The diplo
mats in the State Department have
constant access to the Secretary an(
no policy of major Importance is de.
eided upon without the aid anC
counsel of Under Secretary Summer
Welles and the many other ex'
perienced diplomats who like him
self have served under Republican
as we'll as Democratic Secretaries o
State. From the activity or lack o
activity here, war is not anticipated
There is always the chance of som
untoward event or unlocked for eX
plosion which may set off the flames
but on the whole there is much NOR
confidence than ever before tina
war will not come this year.
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