The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1939-09-21

WASHlNGION.- 1here may have
been more curious positions in which
alegedly neutral nations have found
themselves than the United States
now occupies with respect to the
present war in Europe, but the most
studious of diplomats are unable TO
remember an example.
Diplomats were bit surprised at
the fervor of President Roosevelt S
fireside chat with the nation. He
followed very closely, they point out,
the pattern of Gen. Hugh S. John
sons speech few days before as
to being neutral IN fact, but not neu-
trail in thought
Johnson was a little blunter. He
made no bones about the impossible
ity of not being against nation
which uses force instead of persua-
sion, which has no regard for its
word, and which threatens the peace
of the world every time it wants
anything Roosevelt was much mild
er. But he also mentioned the use
of force, and admitted that he could
not ask the citizens of this country,
as Woodrow Wilson had done in 1914,
to be neutral in thought.
There was another bit of Roose-
velt's address which was generally
approved by the partisans of Britain
and France, and was gall and worm
wood to the pro-Nazis. This was his
insistence that there should be no
profiteering on any commodities
which the men, women and chill
dren might need in the war-stricken
countries.
AS mere words these are not un-
neutral But when it is realized
that Britain and France can buy
all Of these commodities in the Unit
ed States that they want, allowing
for certain losses through subma-
rining of the supply ships, but that it
is practically impossible for Germa-
ny to be so supplied, the evenhanded
justice disappears.
Suing TO Presidents Side
Since War Broke Our
There is some doubt now on this
same point, whether the embargo
provision of the neutrality act APP
plying to arms, ammunition and
implements of war" will be re-
pealed. The President wanted that
very much during the last session.
He could have had his way if the
repeater could have been gotten to
vote in the senate 1t was obvious
that there were enough opponents of
repeal to talk the change to death.
So, in the desire TO reach adjourn
ment, it was abandoned
At the time inside administration
officials figured, on the basis of their
knowledge of the situation in Eu-
rope, that the odds for war were
about three to two However, they
also figured that if the embargo
could be repealed the odds would be
reversed, thus becoming three to
two against war.
There is no doubt that there has
been swing in sentiment toward
the Presidents side since the war
broke out. II is just a question of
how many incidents" it would take
to SO infame the country against the
Nazis that the only question would
be when the United States would get
into the war on the side of Britain
and France.
But it would be a simple matter,
now, to force through the change the
President has wanted. There are
some senators still who believe it
would be virtually an act of war,
and calculated to get the United
States into the war, but there are
not enough of them to make strong
filibuster-With no date for the end
ing of session agreed upon.
Consider Naturalization
OF the Electric Industry
Naturalization of the electric in
dustry is one Of the first moves
planned by New Dealers when and
if the United States becomes in
volved in the war. The only ques-
ton is whether congress would be
willing.
But the inner circle is not worry
ing about that question. There is
no thought in the minds of the left
wingers that, in the rush to give the
administration every power it might
ask for war purposes, control of
such a vital element as power would
not be included.
In the last war it was the rail-
roads. But the motive, as well as
the situation, would be different. In
the first place, while some of the
then heads of the administration
may have hoped that the govern
ment would operate the railroads
forever, most Of the driving force,
including the thought Of President
Woodrow Wilson, was for returning
the railroads as soon as the emer-
gency was over.
This time the allegation that TAX
ing over the electric industry was
necessary for war purposes would
be an excuse, not the real reason.
The real reason is that insiders in