Evening star., 1940-04-24
Urges America to
Help Allies Now
Victory for Hitler Seen II
Economic Aid Is Not
Forthcoming

Economic Aid Is Not
Forthcoming
To the Editor Of The Star:
The problem Of whether America can
stay out of war is the problem Of whether
Nazi conquest of Europe can be pre-
vented without American military inter-
vention. There is no reason for suppos-
ing that a majority of Americans will
willingly stand aside and permit q Nazi
conquest of Europe. Despite their ardent
desire for non-involvement, most Amer
leans realize that Hitler victory over
Britain and France would be followed by
the German seizure of the British and
French fleets, the formation of an ag-
gressive German-Italian-Sp Spanish -Japa-
nese coalition. the imposition of Fascist
rule on all Europe, Africa, and Asia, end
the Fascist domination of Latin America.
1t is wishful thinking to assume that
American democracy can survive in a
Fascist world It is wishful thinking to
assume that American security cannot
be threatened by hostile Fascist coalt-
ton possessing possible 3-to-1 superb
ority over the United States in sea power.
Should Hitler succeed in delivering a
sudden knockout blow to France and
Britain before America can act, the
gravest possible dangers will confront us
before the present year is out. Should
the allies prove able to hold their pres
ent lines and prevent Hitler's allies in
Rome, Madrid and Toxic from coming
openly to his aid, these dangers may still
be averted by American aid.
The form which American aid will take
depends upon the wisdom and courage
with which Americans face the perils
confronting them. If the present ship
ping ahd loan embargoes are continued
IN the name Of 'cash-and carry" neutral-
1ty up to the point at which the allies
are clearly facing defeat, no course will
be left open to America save acuuiescence
IN a world victory of Fascism or open
military Intervention. If, on the other
hand, the full financial and economic
weight OF America were employed In time
IN support of the allied cause, Na1 VIC
tory would be rendered impossible and no
need OF American military intervention
would arise. Financial and economic
intervention now is the only promising
alternative to probable military interven-
ton later. Action now with American
ships and money is clearly preferable to
action later with American bullets and
blood. The defense of America can best
be served by action now in support of
those in Europe and Asia who are Offer
ing resistance to totalitarian aggression.
In Asia such a course requires generous
credits to China and cessation of the
export OF American supplies to the Japa-
nese war machine. The former step can
be taken at once by the administration
without specific legislative authority.
The latter step requires congressional ac-
ton. In Europe such a course requires
repeal of the johnson Act and amendment
OF the neutrality legislation in such FASH
ion as to make it possible for the allied
governments to float loans in the United
States and to have the use of American
merchant shipping. To argue that such
steps will bring America closer to war
is to forget that nothing can bring Amer
lea into war save the prospect of allied
defeat. Such prospect is brought closer
by the present embargo on loans and
shipping. Such a prospect would be
rendered improbable by the lifting Of
the embargo
The present crisis indicates that the
immediate psychological effects of Amer
lean action now looking toward financial
and economic support of the allies may
be more important than the ultimate ma
terial effects of such action. Italian,
Spanish and Japanese military interven-
tion against the allies seems certain to
occur as soon as the militarists in Rome,
Madrid and Toxic have convinced them
selves that Nazi Germany is on the road
to victory. Such Intervention would
render the allied cause hopeless. Such
Intervention will come in the wake of the
next major Nazi victory If the other
Fascist powers are convinced that Amer
lea will do nothing to avert Anglo
French defeat. No single event would so
effectively deter Hitler's Fascist allies
from military Intervention as the news
that Americas full economic and financial
support was being openly thrown into the
scales on the side of Hitlers enemies.
Such support now is therefore imperative
both to forestan immediate military
action by Italy, Spain and Japan and to
insure the ultimate defeat of the third
Reich. There will be no peace or security
for America unless the Third Reich is
defeated and a grand alliance of Fascist
powers is prevented. Nothing short of
the fear of American action offers hope
of preventing the early formation of a
Fascist grand alliance. Nothing short of
American money and American shipping
offers hope of defeating Hitler. Amer
ica's choice lies between Intervention now
with credit, ships and goods and inter-
vention later with army, navy and air
force. The former promises security and
peace. The latter promises war and