Evening star., 1940-05-22
OFF the Course

This Nation must not be confused
by Colonel Charles A. Lindberghs
careless talk about what he termed
"meddling in affairs abroad" It
would be as dangerous to accept the
famous flyers dictates on foreign
policy as 1t would be to intrust the
navigation of transatlantic air
plane flight to Secretary of State
Hull.
Particularly misleading were
Colonel Lindbergh's assertions that
I'VE are In danger Of war today I" I" =
because American people have at
tempted to interfere with the inter-
nal affairs of Europe; that I'VE need
not fear a foreign invasion unless
American peoples bring it on through
their own quarreling and meddling
with affairs abroad" and that ire
gardless of which side wins this war
there is no reason aside from our
own actions to prevent a contin-
uation of peaceful relationships
between America and the countries
of Europe"
The United States Government has
taken no steps-nor contemplates any
that might be termed "meddling"
in European affairs if by "meddling"
one means action that is not in line
with our own vital national interests.
Our sole concern in European affairs
has been to try to help preserve a
basis for peace and liberal trade
relations under principles of inter-
national law and justice, without
which we could not be secure against
the menace Of international anarchy
ourselves.
What Colonel Lindbergh appar-
emily considers "quarreling" with
affairs in Europe really has been
consistent effort by President Roose-
velt and Secretary Hull to make this
Nations moral influence count for
the cause of peace. The Secretary
explained two years ago that this
Government then, as it had through
out its history, was seeking to "co-
operate In every practicable way
with all peace-loving nations in sup
port of those basic principles which
are indispensable to the promotion
and maintenance of stable condi-
tions of peace"
Thoroughly proper and justifiable
concern for our interests led the
President to urge Hitler and Musso-
lini more than year ago to guaran-
tee that they would not attack such
Independent nations as Poland,
Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands
and Belgium. Again, just before
Germany's invasion of Poland set off
the European war last September,
Mr.. Roosevelt appealed directly to
Hitler for peaceful solution OF the
dispute. This Government also tried
to stave of Russia's attack on Fin
land, announcing last November its
willingness to extend it's good
offices" for settlement of the Russo
Finnish differences. When peace ef-
forts failed and one nation after
another was overrun by brutal inva-
sion, this country's condemnation of
the lawless aggression was expressed
consistently by the President and the
Secretary Of State. Such expressions,
giving encouragement to other
peace-loving peoples everywhere,
were not "meddling" in something
of no concern to us because, as Mr..
Roosevelt said recently, "continu-
ance OF these processes of arms pre-
sents a definite challenge" to our
civilization.
Since the war engulfed Europe,
our Government has been looking
ahead to what the world will be like
when the fighting is over, with
view toward doing all that we can
to- help make it one in which our
democracy can continue to exist.
Mr.. Roosevelt sent Undersecretary Of
State Sumner Welles to Europe to
gather information essential for
intelligent policy making. Secretary
Hull has launched efforts to line up
all nations behind program Of dis
armament and liberal trade policies
as the foundation of any future sta
BILE peace, asserting the right of neu-
trails to a voice in the peace con-
ference. =
OF more immediate Importance,
the President has been in constant
communication with Premier Mus
solini for the past month, striving to
prevent further spread Of the war.
He is directing help to the allies by
means short Of war" because Of the
realization that our safety lies in
defeat Of Nazi aims for world DOM
nance, meantime building up our
national defense to be prepared for
the worst.
Wisdom Of the administration
policy cannot be disputed on the
basis Of any intelligent appraisal Of
the facts. 1t would be folly to delude
ourselves with the false hope that
we might escape danger by shutting
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