The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1940-04-18

SA AAASSAAJs 10 A4S%A AAAAet4A
Now that message threatens to
cost the NorWegians ten million
dollars.
What the Morse did not fore
see was that such a statement was
tantamount to a declaration of
war, which automatically invokes
the U. s. neutrality act, imme-
diately embargoes credits to Nor
way and prevents their getting
the ten million dollars already
pledged to Norway by the Export
Import Bank.
The message from Minister Har-
riman came through in the small
hours of Monday morning. April
8, and ever since, the State De-
partment and White House have
been debating whether or not to
invoke the neutrality act.
Actually they would like to
hold off, in order to let Norway
get the credits. So it is ex-
planned that the statement
cabled by Mrs. Hartman, 1--WE
are at war;" was first-blush
statement to which Norway does
not want to be held. This is
the point stressed by the Nor
wegian Minister in Washington.
In the case of Finland the
neutrality act never was invoked,
and U. S. credits continued to
move. But Finland made no
declaration of war, and Roosevelt
avoided finding that state of
war exists"
In the case of Finland, also,
Roosevelt knew that he had pub
lie opinion behind him. But the
case of Norway is different. Its
invasion is not isolated, like the
Russo Finnish conflict, but clear
~ is a part of the major opera
tons between the Allies and Ger
many. To withhold application of
the neutrality act might De re-
garded as a fragrant connivance,
arousing the indignation Of the
Hiram johnson isolationistS.
Meantime, the Export import
Bank is holding a total of $685.
100000, previously committed to
five countries in the Scandin-
avian group. This includes the
$4,000 900 for Norway; $20,O0O,-
for Finland ($1O,O0O,00O having
been disbursed) $15,0OO,O0O for
Sweden: $10,O0O,0O0 for Dem
mark; and $1,QOO,OOO for Iceland.
Viewing the possibility that these
credits may never be disbursed,
one official of the bank said,
1--WE save a lot Of money, don't
we?" Ills. ...
EVE AND DEWEY
Beauteous Evie Robert, wife of
the secretary of the Democratic
National Committee, came up to
handsome Tom Dewey at a re-
ception the other day and said:
"T'm Evie Robert. I couldn't
get anyone to introduce you to
me, so I'm introducing myself"
"My gosh," replied the lead
ing Republican candidate, Il
didn't know you looked like this"
Afterward someone asked Mrs.
Robert what Dewey was like.
Replied she: Like any little
man who has a big blonde come
up suddenly behind him..
SALONIKA ONCE AGAIN
The move to watch for as Italy
prepares to jump is the occupation
of Salonika, famous Allied en1bar-
kation base during the World
War.
The French and British have
planned to use Salonika once
again, as the port at whicha to
land General Weygand's 100000
French troops, plus the Anzacs, in
a drive through the Balkans 10
prevent Germany from capturing
Rumania's oil wells.
However, the Hitler-Mussolini
strategy (and they seem TO be
working closer and closer together)
is for Italy to reach Salonika
first. ....
This is why the italian feet
is now in the Aegean Sea, sit
ting squarely between Syria and
Saionika. This is also why Mus
solini's puppet radio speakers and
editorial writer's have been whip
ping up the italian people-who
are not at all enthusiastic over
war.
copyright, 1910, by United
Feature Syndicate. Inc.)