Evening star., 1940-02-17
NeutraIs Are Ready
To Seize Any Chance
To Stop HostiIities
Countries in Dangerous
Zones Grow Doubtful
Of Ability to Keep Out
BY PERTINAX.

BY PERTINAX.
PARIS. Feb. II (N.A.A.A., by
Wireless) 1t Is fact that tn some
neutral countries the two diplo-
matte moves of11cially made public
IN Washington on February 8 have
been freely interpreted as an indi-
cation that In the not distant future
possibilities of an early conclusion
of peace might assume q more def
mite shape than in the past.
To understand the wrong inter-
pretations Of the Initiatives Of
President Roosevelt and Secretary
Of State Hull 1t must be- kept in
mind that the neutral governments
in the most dangerous zones Of Eu-
rope feel more and more doubtful
about their ability to keep outside
the conflict for an indefinite period.
They realize that the German and
Russian policy Is more and more
likely to encroach upon that margin
Of traditional rights which goes un-
der the name of neutrality and in
the past was openly challenged.
Therefore, they are ready to avail
themselves of any chance, however
remote, to put an end to the pres
ent war, even If the peace were in
the nature of truce more than of
a lasting settlement.
Roosevelt Position Same.
Those comments which were
heard on the day of the announce
ment in various European capitals
have been discoure ged-frst, by the
outspoken assurances given in WASH
ington that the moral position of
President Roosevelt in the struggle
now in progress has not changed in
the least: that today he appreciates
what was at stake, the same as be-
fore, and that he was the first to
understand that an armistice. which
would spare the Naz system and
the military machine would prob
ably settle the fate of the free gov
ernments in and outside Europe.
Secondly, by the victory Premier
Daladier won on February 10 at
the end of the secret sitting Of the
Chamber of Deputies, when prac-
tically all members present rallied
to his call for the war to be fought
out until victory has been won.
Thus have been set right the un-
toward psychological repercussions,
which might have flown out of the
Diplomatic steps of February 8. Now
another question arises. The United
States unavoidably, as a result Of
the loose plan it has in motion, will
be led sooner or later to publicly
express its views about the recon-
struction Of the political and eco
nomic world to follow the end OF
hostilities. ...
The French and British govern
mentS from the outset have always
regarded as matter of course that
the American Chief Executive at
that day, whenever it may be, should
wish to be heard on the momentous
problems which would have to be
dealt with when diplomacy again
comes into its own and to exert its
share of influence.
Accord With U. s. Necessary.
It has never been imagined here,
Tor instance, that the production
and distribution of economic wealth
could again be started through the
normal channels existing prior to
1884 without q close understand
ing with the United States which
already holds 60 per cent of the
worlds gold reserve, and will prob
ably hold much more in forthcom-
ing months and years. Except with
the good will and contribution Of
the United States it probably would
be impossible for France and Brit
ain, now united for the sake of hus-
banding their resources and defeat-
ing the enemy, into kind of joint
economic autarchy and to return to
a wider system for the exchange of
goods and services upon an inter-
national basis. This means that the
international currency linked in by
gone days to the gold standard
would have to be recreated.
But while those technical dis
cussions will engross the experts
more than the general public, the
positive and material guarantees"
claimed by Premier Daladier to
make sure that France will not be
exposed to another aggression after
another generation has passed, will
probably result in debate with q
much more direct appeal to the
man in the street.
It is on that point that it may
be necessary before long to set
forth definite program to make
sure that French, British and Amer
lean public opinions will not work
at cross-purposes and clash.
Time to State War Aims.
So far the tendency here has
been to postpone = too detailed
definition Of war aims. Now 1t would
appear that the time has come to
grapple with the issue.
Every serious student Of recent
history will easily understand that
disarmament cannot be
resorted to here as in the Americas.
Such disarmament may come some
day as the natural outcome Of .
peace which has successfully stood
the test Of time. But to use It as .
starting point would b to court
catastrophs.