Henderson daily dispatch., 1940-08-22

MS lI110 IL Is lNO
Aid TO Britain short OF war may
have the moral approval OF the
American people, but they are not
yet ready and are not likely to be
any time soon to form military al
lance with England or another Eu-
ropean or A>iatic power. Whatever
else in the way of assistance may be
justified, the answer should and
must be no in this instance.
Assuming that reports of Lon
don'S desires, perhaps intentions,
are correct. this is an entirely differ
ent Set-up from the League OF Ma
tons that Woodrow Wilson sought.
That accord following the first World
War, was cooperative arrangement
toward settling disputes without war.
1t involved no binding military al
lance.
II the United States feels -cira ed
to help Britain and We thir,> -
Americans have come around :, rEG
idea ii supplying them generously
with materialS-let it be done on an
independent basis and without any
obligations to pull cheStnuts out of
the fire, even for good friend and
neighbor.
Again assuming that reports are
accurate, is Il to be supposed that
this and the willingness to lease this
country military bases in the West
ern Hemisphere are last acts o. deS-
peration on Britain's part? Neither,
Of course. would help the sorely
pressed English people over the
present tough spot. because a deci-
sive stage in the Battle Of Britain
will be reached before t,c bases could
be established adQuat-ly, or beF-re
Congress, in It's deliberate, some
times seemingly indifferent. proceed
Ure would ever get around to accept
ing the proposed alliance, if it did
at all, which it will not.
Again assuming that Britain will
be successful in Warding off the
German blow, and that eventI,"lty
she RECEIVERS her former position Of
dominance in Europe, d military ALI
ance between that nation and this
one would create u force that could
dominate the world in the manner
Hitler now seeks. 1t would engender
enmities in many parts of the world,
to the extent that both would prob
ably have no fast friends other than
each other. and ultimately their
power would Wane, certainly to the
detriment and possibly to the down.
fall of both at some future time.
The course Of the United States
in the World War and its deep-Seated
sympathy, as we'll as helpfulness, in
the present crisis, is all the proof
needed to demonstrate the genuine
ties of mutual friendship that exist
But Britain, if successful, most likely
would wish to continue in the more
influential role, and her chickering's
in Europe would not cease.
Suppose, for instance, that mil
itary alliance were already in eX-
istence between the two countries
the United States would have beer
in honor bound to go to Britain'>
aid when war began a year ago. In
short, we would today be at war, and
would be furnishing a good deal OIL
the finances, much Of the food, Z
portion OF our navy, airplanes ir
great numbers, and, most importan
of all. men by the millions.
The unofficial reports from
London may be mere trial balloon
to guage public sentiment in the
United States. If that be true, the
reaction will be wholly to Britain:
establishment. If this is evidence
of a feeling in the British Isles thai
American sympathy is so strongly
favorable as to be ready for N 81
adventure as this, sad AN ! ~'
is coming.
Friendly admirations are well "-le