Evening star., 1940-07-07

Pacific as may be possible in view
of our Atlantic situation.
Eighth, we must meanwhile build
our own defenses as energetically
as we possibly can.
Ninth, we might we'll consider at
this time the advisibility Of break
ing of diplomatic relations with
Germany. This would not only SYM
bolize our attitude, but 1t would put
us in a position to urge our Latin
American neighbors to do likewise;
thus enabling us to rid ourselves
of the focal points of intrigue and
subversive activity which are now
operative in every Nazi and Fascist
Embassy. Legation and consulate to
the south of the Rio Grande. These
activities would continue under
ground, no doubt: but on that basis
they can be dealt with IN other
fashions than are permissible with
diplomatic agencies. AS an example
of what is meant, it is reported
from Mexico City that the German
Legation in Guatemala hands out
every day some 10000 copies of
a news bulletin" praising Germany
and Italy and attacking not only
Britain. but the United States. This
sort of thing is becoming intolerable.
Must Weigh Powers.
OF course, in all that we do, we
must weigh our powers and our
limitations. We ought not to sound
trumpets or fling banners to the
breeze. We cannot plunge headiong
into a desperate attempt to drive
the Germans out of Britain, if they
get in. We do not have the power
to do so, and we ought not to waste
our strength in attempting the i'm
possible. Restraint limited objectives,
the taking of we'll calculated risks;
policy firm in principle, cautious
is the plan but bold in executions
and clear sense of the value
OF time: These are requisites.
Some of the acts above suggested
may, in the legal sense, be con.
sidered acts of war. They will GER
tainly be acts highly irritating to
Germany. But the time has come
to realize that appeasing conquerors,
or shrinking from the mere sound
of the word war" is no assurance
Of safety. Indeed. it is an invitation
to attack. Legalistic interpretations
OF belligerence and neutrality are
outworn fictions of a day that is
dead and gone. What is required of
the American people, and their
leaders, in this hour of crisis is
realistic facing of unpleasant facts
and the adoption of a national
policy which will assure the safety
of the Republic.
There can no longer be any doubt
in any thinking citizens mind of
the reality of the danger, or the
character of the threat with which
we have to deal. But we ought to
remember that the resources of Nazi
Germany are not inexhaustible: that
famine will gnaw at Europe's vitals
this coming winter; that Hitler has
not acquired access to any source of
petroleum which can really take care
OF his requirements, and that his
bid for world empire. like those of
Philip II, Louis XIV. Napoleon and
Wilhelm II before him, can be
strangled by sea powe, in the end
provided sea power is given time to
do its slow but inexorable work.
British Shirked Duty.
1t is not our duty to preserve the
balance of power in Europe. His
torically, that is the task of Britain.
Successive British governments have
shirked this duty; a generation of
British people have refused to bear
the burdens of armament. Admit
all this-and yet we are today faced
with situation which, while not
wholly of our making, must. never
theless, be dealt with not on the basis