Evening star., 1940-04-22
U.S.Moy Be Forced to Aid Allies Directly by AZ,
Two CoIunnists Predict in Daring Book
Roosevelt Himself
Moy Have Inspired
l04-Poge Work

Moy Have Inspired
l04-Poee Work
The United States may have to
decide by ls42 whether to aid the
allies "by methods no longer short
of war" or take the consequences of
German victory in Europe, two
Washington columnists warn in q
daring book published today.
They assert that defeat for Eng
land and France would force this
country to treble our Navy, rad
ically alter our economic system
and then IBID farewell to the his
toric freedom for which the found
ers of this Republic toiled and
fought"
Pointing out that the ultimate
decision must rest wholly with pub
lie opinion" the authors, Joseph
Alsop and Robert Kintner, write
gravely that "if our history has a
lesson it is that in these times one
must pray, above all things, that
public opinion will be wise and well
informed"
Their book, entitled american
White Paper" apparently is an ef-
fort to provide basis for intelli-
gent formation of public opinion by
explaining dramatically and in clear
language the problems arising from
the war for this Government and
present administration policy to-
ward them.
Hand of Roosevelt Seen.
Readers of the 104-page expert
ment in contemporary history" as
the authors describe their work,
were quick to point out that it gave
the appearance of having been in
spired by President Roosevelt him.
self. Indications were it would
stimulate heated debate over foreign
policy, in line with the Presidents
frequent statements that Americans
should think more seriously about
the implications Of war develop
ments for this country.
Senator Austin, Republican, of
Vermont is quoted as once telling
Mr.. Roosevelt that IT think we
should indicate our purpose to sup
port the democracies and legislate
with that in mind" to which the
President is said to have replied:
Il am glad to hear you say that,
but can't say it myself"
Some observers believed the Alsop
and kintner book as whole repre-
sents the same sort of thing-put-
ting war problems before the coun-
try in manner the President be-
lieves they should be, but could not
afford to do himself.
The intimate detail with which it
describes confidential discussions be-
tween Mr.. Roosevelt, Secretary OF
State Hull, Undersecretary Sumner
Welles, Assistant Secretary A. A.
Berle, jr., and other officials, QUOT
ing many salty remarks attributed
to them. indicates the authors had
access to reliable inside" informa-
ton.
They quote from Mr.. Berle's pri-
vate diary and reproduce a facsimile
Of Mr.. Roosevelt's penciled draft of
his proclamation of a limited ma
tional emergency last September.
Mr.. Alsop and Mr.. Kintner are
experienced Washington corre-
spondents who write the widely
syndicated column, Capital Pa
rade," which appears daily in The
Star.
Gables Shape Foreign Policy.
In their book they describe yividly
how foreign policy is shaped to
meet developments as reported in
cables from American diplomats
abroad, and argue forcibly for the
administration viewpoint that this
country cannot safely be indiffer-
ent to the fate Of the rest Of the
world"
Senators who do not read the
cables may be isolationists," they
write, but the men who see the
cables coming in" cannot because
the cables too grimly suggest that
what threatens the community of
nations threatens U.S."
The writer's sum up the present
administration policy toward the
European war as based on the fol-
lowing principles:
Il. Only by disarmament and an
opening of trade can the world re-
turn to common sense.
2. Neutrals are parties at in
terest in modern war and par
ticularly in the postwar settlement.
"3. While no political commit
ments may be made outside the
Western Hemisphere economic COM
mitments, looking toward a stable
world economy, are both permissible
and necessary.
=. Since victorious relationships
would not conceivably join in dis
armament and an opening of trade,
the democracies are to be aided by
methods short of war;
IS. Whatever happens we won't
send troops abroad"
"Chary" Of Wilsonian Promises.
Attributing the fifth statement to
President Roosevelt, the authors
speculate that If the allies should
be seriously threatened with defeat
and American economic aid not be
enough to save them, the Presidents
mind would not be closed to "as-
sisting the democracies with our
Navy and air force"
"He has been significantly chary
OF loose Wilsonian promises" they
point out, declaring only that an
American Army would not be sent
to Europe and expressing only the
hope and belief that we would re-
main at peace"
Conceding' that "any one Of IA
hundred new elements" might make
their forecasts worthless, Mr.. Alsop
and Mr.. Kintner analyze possible
American reaction to "the three
great alternatives the future now