The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1940-10-10
(By Staff Writer)

WAOf11NG1O1N. - Lie SUOOCA
change in Washington's interna
tional outlook, produced by thu
three-power treaty between Ger
many, Italy and Japan to divide
the world between them, put
check to the enthusiasm for ad
iournment of the 10th Congress
on the previously scheduled date
Once again the President sale
that he didn't care whether Con
gress went home or not, but Sen
ators and Representatives though
they'd better stay here and keeE
tab on what is going on that may
bring the United States closer tt
war.
That the new treaty among the
dictators was intended as g
warning to the United States &c
keep out of trouble by withdraw
ing further aid to Britain and
China is generally accepted here
It has not had that effect, how
ever. nor is it likely to. There IS
no question that the State De-
partment knew that such move
was coming, several days before
the announcement of the treaty
came from Berlin.
1t is significant of the Admins
tration's attitude, therefore, that
only a day or two before the
news came out, the Export-lm-
mort Bank, under Presidential au-
thority, lent Is million dollars to
China. and on the same day the
President put his name to an EN-.
barge against the expectation OF
scrap iron and steel an any ma
ton except the British.
Slap At Japan
Both of those actions were oil
rect slaps at japan, which mas
been getting nine-tenths OF the
scran metal needed for its mum,
tions plants from the United
States. The prevailing impress
c;on here is that Japan's action
is Joining up with Hitler anu
Mussolini to try to stop the Uni
ted States is a good deal OF a
huff In Congressional circles
there is a feeling that instead OIL
Hitler using Japan as his tool. ia
nan is making a fool OF Hitler.
There is no doubt here that
Hitler is extremely anxious 10
prevent any further aid from tns
limited States to Britain ana
that he figured that If ne coulo
get Japan to throw a war scar
INTO this country American inter
.e+s would switch from the Al
1sn+;c to the Pacific. But insiders
in the State Department are sa'o
IN believe that the japanese were
more afraid that Hitler Woulo
crab the Dutch East Indies pc
fore they get around to dong
that themselves, and that they
figured that by getting Hitler,s
Signature to a treaty leaving an
eastern Asia to Japan, they coulo
put one over on him.
Whatever the ms and outs OF
the situation as between dlcta-
tors. their three-cornered deal,
with it's implications that they
will all gang up against the Uni
ted States unless we keep our
fingers out of the international
mess, has had powerful effects
here. It has strengthened the po-
sition of those who have felt that
our national security demands
helping Britain to win, and ii
has intensified the watchfulness
of members of both Houses lest
something might break which
would call for immediate Con-
gressional action. Therefore re,
cess over election, as soon as al
necessary tax bills are out OF the
way, instead of adjournment, is
= the revised program.
Minority Makes Change
The Republican minority ha:
had a good deal to do with thu
change. Aided by those Demo
Gratis who don't like Mr.. Roose
welt, they have got majority O.
the House to come around t.
their way of thinking, which i
this; If Congress adjourns it can
. meet again of its own free will
but only if recalled into session
by the President. It can recess
however, and still come back a
will. To many members VIII
don't feel like leaving full con
troll of all national affairs in tn
Presidents hands, unchecked b.
Congress, that has seemed tn
better way of doing things.
It is quite possible that tn
present Congress may still be il
session, with occasional recesses
up to the time the next on
comes in.