Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-10-06
By Charles G. Ross.


on Singapore, permission to do so could
be obtained in half an hours time.
The conclusion Of the destroyer deal
has been followed by abundant evidence
Of stiffening of the American attitude
toward Japan. On September 4, in re-
plying to questions by newspaper CORE
spondents relating to the japanese de-
mands on the focal authorities of Indo-
China, Secretary Hull issued pointed
statement.
Status Quo Guarded.
In this the Secretary reiterated in
essence what he had said to the news
paper writer's on April II and May II.
The April statement was prompted by
an expression of concern on the part of
the japanese government for the preser-
walton of the status quo of the Neither
lands Indies. Secretary Hull noted this
expression with interest" and added:
ANY change in the status of the
Netherlands Indies would directly affect
the interests of many countries. Inter-
vention in the domestic affairs of the
Netherlands Indies or any alteration of
their status quo by other than peaceful
processes would be prejudicial to the
cause of stability, peace and security not
only in the region of the Netherlands
Indies, but in the entire Pacific area"
On May II, replying to further in
quiries by correspondents, Secretary Hull
stated that expressions of intention to
respect the status quo of the Netherlands
East Indies cannot be too often re-
iterated'
When. therefore, reports began to come
in regarding a Japanese ultimatum to
the government of Indo-China, the Sec
rotary was able, in his September 4
statement. to throw back at the Jap
anese government its own expressed de-
sire las phrased by HulD that the prin-
ciple of the status quo be respected and
be preserved unimpaired in the Pacific,
with special references to the Neither
lands East Indies and French Indo-
China.
This Government" said Secretary
Hull. lis reluctant to give credence to
the reports now under reference. The
SltudJlOll anu IIlt SuOJCSI W NilASll IllCSC
reports relate is. however, a matter to
which this Government attaches impor-
lance, and it stands to reason that,
should events prove these reports to have
been well-founded, the effect upon pub
lie opinion in the United States would
be unfortunate"
Britain Cooperative.
On the day after Secretary Hull issued
this polite but firm warning to Japan,
Lord Halifax, the British Foreign Min
lister, formally expressed Great Britains
interest in maintaining the status quo in
the Pacific, and on the same day (Sep-
TENDER s. came the State Department
conference between Secretary Hull and
the representatives of Great Britain and
Australia. Both these developments
strengthened the impression of observers
that the way had been paved for possible
cooperative action in the Pacific be-
tween the United States and Great
Britain.
William T. Stone, head of the WASH
ington Office of the Foreign Policy As
ISOLATION, a dependable and objective
reporter of events In the field of our
foreign relations, has written as follows
of the effects Of the new Anglo American
alignment:
1.-The strategic consequences of the
destroyer-naval base agreement extend
beyond the limits of the Western
Hemisphere. 1t is obvious, of course,
that the new group of naval and air
bases, once they are established, will
enormously strengthen our continental
defenses. The bases in the Bahamas,
Antigua, Jamaica, st. Lucia and British
Guiana will effectively cover the vital
approaches to the Panama Canal and
assure American naval and air
supremacy in the entire area of the
Caribbean and along the northern coast
of South America. The proposed bases
in Newfoundland provide additional Sc
curity for Canada.
But construction of these bases does
not imply the adoption of . policy OF
passive defense. or even limited
Hemisphere defense resting on an At
lantic 'Maginot Line; on the contrary,
it promises an aggressive policy founded
on Mahan's doctrine of the offensive as
the best possible defense. This is the
key to the strategy which is made pos
sible by outlying bases and parallel
action by the worlds two principal sea
powers.
Effects of Base Deal.
mo one who has grasped the full
meaning of this history making agree
ment with Britain should be surprised.
therefore, that the first effects have been
felt as sharply in the Pacific and the Far
East as in the Atlantic and the Western
Hemisphere. The bargain holds, despite
continued criticism of the methods en-
ployed by Mr.. Roosevelt to accomplish
his ends and legal doubts which have not
entirely been resolved by Attorney Gen.