The Wilmington morning star., 1940-03-13
WASHINGTON

By PRESTON GROVER

WASHINGTON, March II. - II republican
state politicians had any choice they would
have the woods full Of COP presidential can.
didates.
ern tours of the various republican candidates
indicate that state organizations feel a surge
OF new life after being touched by the magic
wand of an aspiring visitor.
1t is an advantage the republicans have over
the democrats and they are playing it to the
full. Democratic candidates can't speak out too
soHdly-except Vice President Garner. He has
boldly declared for the presidency, regardless
OF whether FDR blows hot or cold on a third
term. And Garner, as a candidate, isn't giving
the state organizations the aid the republican
candidates give by travelling around. Garner
sticks close to Washington, and those who
know his disposition doubt if ever he will
campaign actively before the convention.
Democrats Iffy'
Candidate Dewey OF New York hit about a
dozen states. Candidate Bridges of New Hamp.
shire reached nine states, mostly western, in a
recent fling. Senator Taft of Ohio carried the
party torch into several states.
Senator Vandenberg of Michigan hasn't hit
SO many high spots. AS a result, while he
has a lot of friends-as reported by camp fol.
lowers of the other candidates-there Is a
mild mutter of resentment that he hasn't tax.
en- actively to the field.
True enough, democratic candidates have
toured the country, but not one of them can
clear up that awful doubt which rides on
their c~oat-tails and cramps their vigor. They
can't say positively that they will be candi-
dates. They are, as the President would de-
sribe it, fifty" candidates. They will run IF
the President keeps out Of the show. Such a
candidate is an awfully juiceless thing with
ton. And don't be deceived, the local party
chieftains are kicking about it. no end.
One Treaty Japs Respect
Incidentally, while the japanese may have
mussed up certain treaties with respect to
handling China, they have stood solidly by an
informal agreement to keep their ships out Of
American salmon fishing waters.
In 1896 and 1887 there was a frightful dis.
turbance in west coast fisheries because a
group of Japanese fishing vessels appeared in
Bristol bay, off the southern coast Of Alaska
and calmly loaded UP with prime salmon. 1t
panicked the U. S. salmon industry, whose
Alaskan branch is estimated roughly as a $780,
000,0 900 industry. The Japanese, using nets
three miles long, were screening up the sal
mon before ever they reached the spawning
Alaskan streams where the u. S. fishermen
were waiting for them.
Efforts were made to put through a bill to
declare the whole continental shelf off west
ern North America to be a part Of the Amer
lean zone. 1t was to be a sort of neutrality
zone" for fishermen-American fishermen. The
proposal hadn't a legal leg to stand on, but
might have become a nasty issue, like the jap
anese Exclusion Act of 1924.
Before it reached that point, this govern
ment exchanged a few notes with Japan, ex'
planning the situation. The japanese agreed to
stop salmon fishing off American shores, al
though without stating definitely how long
they would agree to stay out. They desperately
need fish, both for food and for export.
Under the agreement they were allowed to
continue fishing for crabs and other bottom
fish in the Bristol bay area, as they had been
doing for a dozen years. But, in keeping with
the agreement. they evidently have taken moi
a solitary salmon.