The Wilmington morning star., 1940-09-19
Editorial Comment
OMBER FOR BRITAIN
New York Herald-Tribune

Both Presidential candidates are committed
to the policy of all aid to Britain short of war;
the country has Endorsed that policy over
whelmingly in straw polls and other tests of
opinion; and as Goering's fanatics continue
ruthlessly yet aimlessly to shatter British,
lives, British homes and the British country
side Americans are demanding with an ever
more passionate earneStness that every posi-
BILE contribution be made toward hating this
barbarous horror while it is still confined to
Europe. Yet the fact remains that all possible
aid is not being sent to Britain. With the trans
fer of the fifty World war destroyers at last
effected, after weeks of delay, the William
Allen White committee, has listed at least halt
a dozen other ways, even easier for the United
States but hardly less important to the defense
OF Britain, in which assistance could be sent.
Yet the same formidable inertia persists.
The most urgent proposal is for the imme-
date transfer of twenty-five of the Army's
famous long-range flying-fortress bombers
There is nothing to equal these ships in Eu-
rope. The best of present British euuipment
can just about reach to Berlin, but not into
eastern and southeastern Germany, where the
Nazls are now moving their aviation and arms
plants. With even twenty-five flying fcrtresses
the British could carry the air war. which
has so cruelty searched the farthest limits of
their own country, into every corner of Ger
many.
Every fresh bomb crater in London's streets
cries out for these big ships with which to
make reply. Their transfer would have to de-
pend, OF course, upon the authorization of
the American military authorities, but unless
they are aware of technical considerations of
national defense which might forbid it there
is no reason why the bombers should not be
sent. The Army already has fifty-three of the
1lylng-fortress types in service, with scores
more under construction. If twenty-five of the
existing planes are traded back Cir return
Tor subsequent delivery of improved types) to
be sold now to the British, they will, like the
fifty destroyers, render far more concrete
service to the defense of the United States
than they are ever likely to do in any other
way.
They should be sent at once. Yet the first
response which the suggestion evokes is a duet
by Senators Holt and Clark, the 'isolationist'
twins, on the old theme - a theme never put
more succinctly than it was the other night
by Herr Hitler's American Haw Haw, broad
casting from Berlin: "If I were home in Iowa
l would support the Administration 100 per
cent in building up American defense. Not in
fear OF a German invasion but on principle.
But l would refuse to support any measures
that pretended to help England against Ger.
many" We would not suggest that Senators
Holt and Clark are in Hitler's pay. But thew
could not be carrying out his orders more ex.
actly If they were. The great majority of their
countrymen who can see the facts of inter.
national life with clearer realism will demand
that the policy of all aid to Britain short of
war be interpreted as meaning all aid-bomb-
ers, motorboats and whatever else can in fact
be safely spared. 2