Evening star., 1940-04-12

Mr.. Roosevelt spent a good part
OF the time in London during the
war alongside of the chiefs of the
British Admiralty. His knowledge
Of the European scene is not only
extensive, but he was largely re-
sponsible for the plan whereby
German submarines were prevented
from reaching the English Channel
to enterfere with British and Amer
lean transportation of troops in 1918.
Neutrality and the requirements
OF the Presidents position prevent
him from expressing any opinions
even indirectly about the way the
naval warfare off the Norwegian
coast has been conducted. but it is
a safe assumption that the Presi-
dent, who has been in conference
with the admirals of our Navy, is
thoroughly informed on the prob
able advantages and disadvantages
which may arise to the allies and
the Nazis as a consequence of the
latest adventures.
A Navy Builder.
Mr. Roosevelt has always been
strong believer in sea power. More
than any other man of our times
he has been influential in building
up the American Navy. He is in
timately acquainted with the prob
lens of the Navy and last year
spent a large part of his vacation
actually taking part in the maneu-
vers of the American Fleet. He
knew the war games of the Navy
and saw with his own eyes what
the feet could do under certain
tactical conditions of the most diff
cult nature
The President knows the top men
IN the Navy intimately and knows
a good deal about the new ships and
all the auxiliary weapons relating
to submarines and air carriers.
If the United States should ever
be drawn into war and Mr.. Roosevelt
has retired from office, it may be
we'll assumed that he would be
among the first to offer his services
to the Navy Department, for his
experience and judgment in that di-
rection are unmatched by any
civilian in the country today.
The Presidents keen interest in
naval strategy has enabled him to
follow events overseas and to antici-
pate some of them by reason of the
fulness of American diplomatic re-
ports. 1t now becomes clear, for
instance, just why the President so
promptly after the return of Sumner
Welles, Under-Secretary of State,
Issued a statement saying there was
"scant immediate prospect" of
peace. Undoubtedly the President
was aware of the determination of
the Nazis to make desperate at
tempt by means of spring offensive
IN the northern part of Europe to
gain territory and raw materials.
Balkans May Flame.
At this moment the fortunes of the
allies and the Nazis seem en-
veloped in fog of contradictory re-
ports, but the official Washington
attitude is one of apprehension be-
cause of a growing belief that be-
fore many weeks, perhaps days, the
Balkan states will be drawn into
the fray and this means Italian
participation in some form.
The prospect that the British and
French fleets are expecting action in
the Mediterranean is beginning to
open up all sorts of conjecture here
especially as word comes that the
italians are beginning to call to the
colors some of their reserves. The
hope here is that Italy will stay neu-
tral. 1t is today the only neutral
entrance to Europe that is safe for
travel. What did Mussolini and
Hitler decide at their secret con-
ference when Mr.. Welles was in
Europe? Maybe President Roosevelt
can guess. He has the best sources
Of information in the world today,
but he is keeping mum. 1t is
significant that no word of comment
denouncing the Nazi invasion of two
weak neutral countries has come
from the White House as hannered
when Finland was invaded by Rus
sia. Strict neutrality of expression
Is the rule here now, outwardly at
least.
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