Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-10-19

mind.
Something of vital Importance is
doubtless going on between the Brit
ish and American Governments.
These are days of secret diplomacy
and secret agreements.
The general supposition is that
there is a new trade in prospect.
The British are presumably going
to let us use some of their naval
and air bases in the Pacific, prob
ably Singapore. and we are to send
some of the bombers so badly needed
by Britain.
Wisdom Reported Questioned.
It is understood that inside the
Government, Army experts are
questioning the wisdom of such a
transaction. But in the Army as in
the Navy, pressure from above has
brushed aside opposition. Thus
Admiral Stark never wanted to let
the so-called over-age destroyers out
Of the American Nays possession
a matter of form because of the
alleged value of the new bases.
Nobody knows the facts of these
matters because Congressional COM
mittees have not Intercepted the
Army and Navy officers either pub
licly or privately. 1t is a very much
clouded situation because the Execu-
tive does not consult Congress and
acts irrespective of what the specific
statutes prohibiting such transfers
really say.
America does not have any plen-
tiful supply of bombers and the
experts are loath to see any get out
Of our hands. While there Is the
deepest sympathy for the plight
of Britain. there Is also a dispo-
sition to safeguard American de-
lenses in the event that the British
lose. To put it another way, there
is no certainty here that the bomb
ers will play decisive role in the
war, but in the event Of a British
defeat, they may prove a serious
loss to America.
What is puzzling, however, is that
plans about sending these bombers
are so much a matter of general
conversation throughout the coun-
try and that the incident is being
linked so directly to the preslden-
tial campaign. 1t would be most I'M
fortunate if the country got the
impression that politics was being
played with the war situation by
the party In power.
Free Radio for Speeches.
Another angle of the problem
which is causing talk is the ten
dency of the administration to IN
sist that the speeches of the Presi-
dent are non-political. In his press
conferences he ridicules the effort
on the part of his opponents to
charge that his so-called non-po-
litical speeches are for political pur-
poses. Thus Mr.. Roosevelt speaks
sarcastically about being unable to
deliver historical speeches. He has
reference, of course, to those talks
In which he discusses politics by
implication. There is no objection
to this form of campaigning ex-
cept that radio companies are sup
posed not to give their time free Tor
anv sort of campaign speech.
In a campaign in which the Hatch
law limits the amount that can be
spent, it is a decided advantage
TO the President to be able to have
as MANY as possible OF his radlo
talks carried free by the broadcast
Ing companies. This accounts 1or
the sudden increase in the num-
Der of the Presidents appearances
on the air in recent weeks. Mr..
Willkie. who does not have an op-
nortunity to create these supposedly
"non-political" occasions, Is thus at
q disadvantage in quantity OF free
time. ,,,
Next week one Of these "non-politi-
cal" occasions is being arranged here
for the Secretary of State and 1t
IL expected the President will be
present so as to give as much pub
iicitv to the affair as possible. NO
stone is being left unturned by the
administration stage managers to
present the war situation and for
eign policy in as dramatic setting
as possible so as to convey the idea
TO voters that Mr.. Roosevelt is in
dispensable and that nobody else
can handle the problems confront
ing the Nation.
Defense Meetings Cancelled.
But, while all this grandstand
playing and publicity planning goes
on, national defense is being neg
lected. The President used to hold
meeting every week with the De-
Tense Advisory Commission. Now
these meetings are often Cancelled
on the ground that there Is nothing
special to take up. Nothing OF course
needs to be taken up except the
question of getting us more than
the $50 first-line combat planes we
have as against Germany'S thou
sands. and some powder to put In
the bombs these planes are sup
posed to be equipped with or equip
ment for the vast army that Is to
be conscripted. Snags and bottle
necks have developed. The defense
plants are not working to the limit
OF their capacity. It's all a very
casual business apparently.
Mr.. Roosevelt insists on being the
chairman OF a defense commission
that doesn't meet except after long
intervals of unjustified delay. But
this only leaks out as members of
the stats of these various commits
sions begin to wonder whether de-
tense has been adjourned in favor