Evening star., 1939-11-01

ana Cney are "
taken to bellig- DA''a -a"Fenee'
erent ports for examination. But
the fact that the Germans did not
land the American crew at Tromsoe,
Norway, when they stopped there
after leaving Murmansk, Russia, is
giving rise to fears that complica-
tions may ensue If the lives of the
40 Americans are imperilled.
The sending of warning by the
American Government to both Lon
don and Berlin that care must be
taken to sparethe Americans aboard
the City of Flint was necessarily
two-sided because it was feared ac-
ton by the British in attempting to
seize the ship might influence the
German prize crew to blow up the
vessel.
So far as the American Govern
ment is concerned, it would prob
ably preter-though it does not dare
say SOTO see the ship reach Ger
man port safely so that the Ameri-
can crew can be released and return
home on a neutral vessel The Ger
man Navy was entitled to take the
American ship to German port in
the first instance. The irregularity
arises in entering Russian harbor,
but this is defended on the ground
that damage to the machinery made
it necessary to seek refuge any
where possible in an emergency-a
point we'll established by interna-
tional law of the sea.
Joint Responsibility.
But the moment the Americans
reached Russia they could have
been released, and, likewise when
the City of Flint put into Norway,
release could have been effected. On
this point the formal protests which
will come in due time will be made.
There was no justification for the
endangering of the lives of the
American seamen. The responsible
ity for this rests not only on the
German, but the Russian govern
ment. The efforts of the American
Ambassador to Russia to get in
formation about the City of Flint
and to get assurances concerning
the safety Of the crew were frus-
trated. This constitutes a black
mark on the record Of the Soviet
government which may in the long
run cost the Russians much more In
ill-will in America than they could
possibly have gained by endeavor-
ing to give the Germans a little
more time to arrange for the City
of Flint's departure.
Major governments do not treat
each other with discourtesy. In the
long run they always find it better
to maintain the friendliest and most
polite relations on matters in which
they themselves are not directly con-
cerned. In this instance the ship
was American-owned and the 40
persons aboard were American citi-
zens.
Governments do not speak Of re-
prisals, but there comes time often
in international relations when one
government asks for something it
needs, and then the delays occur
which would not have arisen had
relations been cordial.
Embargo Factor.
Thus, when the embargo is lifted
by legislation this week, it may be
that the status of Russia will be-
come an important point. Is Russia
q neutral or a belligerent? Shall
American ships go to any Russian
ports in the Atlantic and the Pacific?
And should Americas friendliness
to the Japanese in the Far East be
increased and even more pressure
exerted to bring about peace between
China and Japan so as to eliminate
possible complications in the Fal
East?
It will be noted that the Russian
foreign minister reprimanded the
American Government for ha-ine
interceded automatically on behalf
of Finland. This may or may not
have irked the Russians. There are
in the United States about 400,0O(
Firms. The record of Finland ir
paying her World War debt install.
ments and the fact that she has 6
democratic form of government have
excited the sympathy of the Ameri.
can people at this critical time ir
her history. Russia has lost friend!
among the left-wingers in Americs
by tying up with the fascists ir
Germany and whatever friendship
may have been shown by the Roose'
welt administration in the past, as
for instance. when formal recogni'
ton was extended, is now being i'm
paired by recenA events in Moscow
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