Henderson daily dispatch., 1940-01-25

While | fully realize that England
is engaged in u conflict of major pro-
portion, cannot believe that she Is
Justified in imposing the embargo
which makes the American farmer
the first economic casualty of The
war in which she is now engaged.
We modified our neutrality law, lift
ed the arms embargo and provided
for the sale Of ammunltiOnS and I'M
Elements Of war TO England and other
warning nations upon cash and
carry basis, and in taking this action
we were moi actuatcd by selfishneSs,
but rather by Il sincere desire TO ren-
der some aid to the grand cause OF
Democratic Government. But it seems
that England is forcing us to realize
Just how dependent portion Of our
population is upon her trade ana
commerce. Unfortunately flue-cured
tobacco farmers are dependent upon
exports Of their commodity to Great
Britain, but | do, not believe that we
are even III the present situation COM
ceSSion OF this drastic and unjustifled
nomic weapons which may we'll be
used. Just how effectively we may
be able to use these economic
weapons remains, OF course, to be
seen.
While the real significant and
permanent effect Of the embargo Is
not yet fully understood or appre-
cated, it is plain TO see that if the
embargo is continued the action OF
Great Britain is Il death blow to our
tobacco farmers. II is my purpose.
and ! am sure that it is the purpose
of all the other members Of the North
Carolina delegation to do everything
within our power TO secure Il re-
pletely helpless. We still have eco
act on the part Of Great Britain. and
to do everything possible to prevent
suffering and distress on the tobacco
farms of the country.
have discussed the situation with
Secretary Wallace and other officials
of the Department Of Agriculture,
and with Secretary Of State Hull and
his associates. and | have every req
son TO believe that both the Secre-
tary of Agriculture and the Secretary
o. State and their associates and re-
representatives. will make Il vigorous
appeal to Great Britain in behalf Of
the tobacco farmers OF America. |
nave To-Day requested the State De-
partmcnt To advise me immediately
upon the return to Washington Of
AmbaSs ador Kennedy, who is now
soioulnng in Florida. Upon the Am
baSsador'S return to Washington |
intend 10 confer with him regarding
the devastating effects Of the British
embargo and to urge upon him that
he exercise every effort to alleviate
the economic distress which the en-
barge is so well calculated 10 bring
upon our farmers.
The embargo on American tobacco
has created an acute emergency and
brings the tobacco farmers of Amer
lea face to face with the worst sit
uation which they have confronted
in many years. If Great Britain per-
sists in its announced purpose to
trade with and to purchase its to-
bacco requirements from its gallant
friends, the Turks, Our market IN
the United Kingdom will, for all in
tents and purposes, be taken from
us, and even if the ban is lifted IN
two OF three years, after they have
alienatcd our consumers and caused
them to cultivate taste for Turkish
and other foreign grown tobacco, or
export trade will be permanently M
paired. 1t is, therefore. imperative
that no stone be left unturncd IN or
efforts to prevail upon and to per
Suado Great Britain TO reScInd IFS
action and reopen its markets TOT
Ar""~;can grown tobacco.
Unfortunately the economic pros
pcrity Of Eastern North Carolina is
completely dependent upon TIC
growth of Glue-cured tobacco, large
portion Of which is in norma! tmci
purchased by British buyers. II we
arc not successful in our efforts to
obtain Il lifting OF the embargo and
II return Of British buyers to the
market in 1910, obviously we will be
n Il distressing situation and many
of our people will be forced into
bankruptcy. This situation is of i'm
portance not only to the farmers