Evening star., 1939-10-03
Says Embargo Repeal
Does Not Mean War
Believes Presidents Program
Is In Best Interests Of
The United Stutes

To the Editor Of The Star:
There are several trends in current
public discussion that are very unfor-
tunate. One is the almost universal
assumption that American involvement
in Hitler's war is probable-nay, almost
certain. This is coupled with almost
universally expressed antipathy to such
involvement. The two together consti-
tute an inertia, stupidity, pusillan-
unity, an abdication of sovereign power
on the part Of American citizens that
bodies i'll for our democracy. Unless the
Congress yields to propaganda or pres
sure groups or sells out the country, or
unless the present Democratic President
keeps us out of war as did the last, there
is no reason and should be no possibility
Of America being involved in war unless
an overwhelming majority of citizens 50
wish.
The most unfortunate aspects of the
above considerations is their use by op-
ponents of embargo repeal Almost all
their discussion consists Of lightly touch
ing high spot or two of reason or
fact, including practically unsupported
assertion that repeal would involve us in
war. The rest is vast bulk of i'm
passioned appeal to emotion based on
the horror of war in general and Of our
involvement in particular.
International law in war largely con-
sists of what belligerents can get away
with. Repeal of the embargo puts the
course of this country in accordance
with the preponderant authorities Of
international law and with its own ira
ditional policy of freedom of commerce
even in war.
BY some, repeal is urged because it
will help England and hamper Hitler,
and by some opposed for the same rea-
son. Undoubtedly repeal will please Eng
land and displease Hitler. Vice versa as
to non-repeal. So what? No matter
how displeased either England or Hitler
is, for the present neither is going to
do anything about it except make faces.
Both have their hands full, and Hitler,
at least. cannot get at us. After war
ends neither will have the incentive nor
the energy to attack us.
Whatever their feelings, that should
not enter into our decision. which should
be determined by Americas interests
alone. Certainly it Is not to this coun-
try's interest to have Hitler win this
war nor to fail to use opportunities for
commerce. We sacrifice enough for
peace in surrendering this country's
policy of freedom of the seas.
Repeal of the embargo furthers this
country's interests in every way. Coupled
with cash-and-carry and the prohibition
of American travel, it negates every con-
sideration that brought America into
the last war. There will be no unpaid
foreign credits, no American ships sunk,
no Americans drowned or killed. And
with prices, wages, profits and plant
expansion and conversion kept within
bounds, there should be no undue boom
or consequent depression, especially If
American manufacture Of arms and mu-
nitions are utilized for its own defense
preparations when foreign demand slacks
of.
At present, except for very limited
list of arms and munitions, everything,
including many articles and materials
listed as contraband by both belligerents
can lawfully be exported as American
property in American ships. That sit
uation is much more dangerous than
embargo repeal plus cash-and-carry.
Boston, Mass. VIM. B. LLOYD.
September g.