The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-09-07


 may profoundly affect U.
 Lothian emerged from the White House after presenting his cre- dentials to Roosevelt. Cameramen were waiting. One of them held a black cat, captured on the White House grounds. They had heard that "this guy Lothian" was a good fellow, and they wanted to test him.
 They asked him to pose with the cat in his rms. If they had asked his predecessor, giant, gangling Sir Ronald Lindsay, the answer would have been a disdain- full "No". But Lothian smiled, put the cat on his shoulder, and provided a cameraman's holiday. ..
 There was no clovning, and Lothian lost no dignity. but he made a hit with the photogra- phers, and they made a picture that was seen by millions. The cat was promptly dubbed Crisis.
 The British embassy has long needed an improvement in press relations. British newsmen cov- ering Washington have com plained to London that every move here gets poor play-some- times very bad play. And they pointed to the aloofness and lack of common touch shown by the embassy under Lindsay.
 This is now changing, and it may even be that the U. s. will be warmed to more strongly pro-British attitude by one diplo- mat, who made his Washington debut with a black cat act. SPANISH COTTON '
 The State Department will not admit it yet, but information has leaked back to Madrid strongly ip- dicating that the quarter of mill lion bales of cotton which the Export-Import Bank of financ- ing for General Franco are being shipped on to Germany.
 Cotton is one of the most im- portant raw materials needed by Hitler in wartime. and several members of the Roosevelt Cabinet chiefly Morgenthau and Ickes- vigorously opposed the Spanish credit, pointing out that Franco was merely a blind for Hitler.
 However, those in the State Department who have fought secretly for Franco since the start of his career. were able to put the deal across-to the tune of $l3,000,000. Interesting thing to watch will be whether the State Department acts to shut off the undelivered portion of the cotton shipments to Franco,
 NOTE-One reason Hitler would like to have Italy remain on the sidelines Is the fact that a neu- tral Italy would prove an excel- lent channel for receiving war supplies.
 WAR SURPRISE
 There was one big difference between the outbreak of this war and that of 1914 - the State De- partment was thoroughly aware that 1t was coming. Many news papers. most of Congress, and various other observers could not believe that war was just around the corner, but the State De- partment reported to Roosevelt. as early as midsummer that war looked almost certain.
 Contrast this with the mes- sage sent by American Ambas- sador Gerard from Berlin on July 27, 1914: q have reason to believe matters will be arranged without a general European war;"
 NEXT DAY, JULY 28, 1914. AUSTRIA DECLARED WAR ON SERBIA.
 THE POLITICAL WHIRL
 Blanked out by the European storm was one of the most signi- ficant political upsets in recent southern history. In Mississippis governorship race, Paul Johnson. Roosevelt Democrat backed by Senator Bilbo, soundly trounced Governor Mike Conner, anti- New Deal pal of Senator Pat Har- rison. Results are sure to be far reaching. Harrison's long bossdom of the state will be cracked, the 1940 delegation will be dominated by Bilbo. while red-headed Mrs. Ellen Woodward. of the Social Security Board, is headed for plenty of trouble from the irate Bilbo. Despite the Hatch Act. bar ring political activity, and her professed close friendship to the