The Omaha guide., 1939-04-29
DR.. WILLIAMS SAYS DO A
LITTLE THINKING

versity of Omaha historian, who
said today that the United States
could stay out of Europe's next
war by clamping a strict embargo
on shipments to the warning ma
tons.
The professor declared that an
embargo might work economic
hardships on the American people
but that such hardships would be
preferable to taking part in wal.
Americans will have to tighten
up their belts and forget about
war profits if they really want to
remain at peace. I believe that in
bhe long run u losses from COM
mercial isolation would be far less
than tho economic as well as the
human losses resulting from war"
DIR. Williams asserted that the
surest a of keeping the United
States at peace is by refusing to
trade with all belligerents until
the conflict ends. Next to an alb
soluse embargo, the University OF
Omaha historian favors the cash
and carry plan under which all
nations would be extended equal
trading privileges, provided they
came to Americans ports, paid cash
or the spot and carried the pur-
chases away in their own ships.
ANY trade restrictions which
aim to keep the United States
neutral will be subject to terrific
pressure from special groups, said
DIR. Williams
ssThe greatest threat to Amer
lean neutrality will come from
groups wanting to sell their pro-
ducts in the war markets.
1.-THE farmer will see a market
for his wheat-the munitions ma
kers will want to sell their guns
and explosives-the iron and steel
manufacturers will want to get
in on the profits-the whole COM
muniy of American business is
ant to be seduced by the lure OF
profits.
."Soon these groups will thun-
der at the doors of Congress, de-
handing that Europe's markets
be made available to American
business men. 1t will be very diff
ficult if not impossible for Con-
press to withss and such pressure.
al the belligerents can't come
and get our goods these pressure
groups will begin to clamer for
American ships to carry them.
Some of these ships will be sunk,
the cry will be raised that Amer
;ca's honor has been smirched-
and then we'll get into it.
"Unless these groups are able
TO restrain themselves, unless Con-
gress is strong enough to resist
pressure, Americas peace hopes
will go to poland American
doughboys will once more be sent
overseas to save the world for de-
mocracy."
DIR. Williams scoffed at the
idea that Che wal will be fought
for the democratic ideal.
"This democracy stuff as a war
slogan is just a lot of twaddle. In
the first place there aren't any
democracies in Europe since Bri-
tain and France handed Spain
and Czechoslavakia over to the
fascists.
eve tried saving democracy In
the last war and flopped pretty
badly Our experience should prove
that you can't establish democracy
where it doesn't exist. Democracy
is something that you don't gel
by war-if it's not natural, you
can't put it there and make il
grow.
''If Britain and France had beer
so interested in democracy they
would have saved Spain and Cze'
cheslavakia. Instead they've giver
guarantees, to dictator countries
like Poland and Rumania.
f'The next war will be just as
imperialistic as the last I see ne
reason why the United States
should go to war 10 help one gang