Evening star., 1940-06-30

pletely and agree to work in harmony
with the dictators; or it must accept
their challenge to our present system,
arm to the teeth and prepare to put up a
fight If the totalitarians threaten to in
wade the Western Hemisphere physically
or economically.
Policy Change Difficult
change of policy would be difficult
Nobody in Washington trusts or believes
in Hitler and Mussolini. Both men have
given solemn assurances to many gov
ernments-and have not kept them. The
totalitarians are following not only a
policy of territorial conquest but also an
theology which they desire to put into
effect throughout the wrld by force.
While this will be difficult-if not i'm
possible-in the United States, the prob
lem has an entirely different aspect in
the other republics in this hemisphere.
Democracy has always been very shaky
between the Rio Grande and Cape Horn.
1t is in worse case now since the totali
tarlans have gained such spectacular
victories. We might delay the progress
OF the aggressors in South America bv
spending couple of billions of dollars
IN buying the surplus production of the
Il republics this year and next. But
eventually it will be impossible to keen
this up and the strong racial and senti-
mental affiliations between those re-
publics and Italy, Germany and Spain
will tell the tale.
On the other hand, the prospect of ac-
cepting the challenge of the totalitarians
seems equally difficult Our rearmament
program, provided it does not hit any
snags Will be completed in two years.
Our strategic position today is difficult
Japan has just thrown of all reserve and
has announced her affihation with the
european dictatorships. While all
thought of preventing that country from
invading the French, British and Meth
erland possessions in the Far East bv
force has been abandoned, the hatred of
Japan for this country is such that mart
OF the fleet, at least, must remain in the
Paclhc Tor the immediate protection of
American shores. Toxic gives evidence
OF feeling that the time has come TO
settle old and new scores with the United
States.
Atlantic Inadequately Defended.
While part of the feet must stav in
the Pacific, the Atlantic Ocean remains
lnadequately defended. The units we
have on this side, with those we arc
bringing through the Panama Canal. can
handle patrol duties competentlv and
could probably give a good account of
themselves with feet such as the COM
blned German and Italian forces.
But the principal hope of the admin
lstratlon to meet real menace from the
totaIltarlan states must be the preserva-
ton OF parts of the British feet in the
event that country undertakes to con-
tlnue the war from the Western Hemi
sphere. The situation may be somewhat
different two years hence. But the Ger
mans are not noted for allowing their
opponents or potential opponents suf-
hclent time to put their plans into effect.
since the democracies were so short
sighted as not to arm when they had
the chance, it is Germany's privilege to
take advantage of their mistakes and hit
while the hitting is good.
Whether Germany will speak softly
to us in the hope of inveigling us into
another Munich, or whether she will get
busy in the Western Hemisphere at once,
depends chiefly on whether Britain will
try to continue the fight from the do
minlonS. The problem which confronts
the administration today is to devise
measures for defending our own territory
against either physical attack or-what
may be more to be feared-an economic
squeeze. The strong remnant of British
power is counted upon to weight heavily
in either event.