The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1940-02-22
(By Staff Writer)

Washirgton.-It would be going
too far to say that events are
bringing the United States clos
er to participation in the Euro
pean war, but it is no eXaggera-
ton to say that the international
situation, in one phase or anoth-
er, is occupying the attention OF
official Washington more than
any one subject.
Probably no head of govern
ment has ever expressed himself
so vigorously concerning another
government with which it is at
peace as President Roosevelt ex-
pressed himself concerning the
Russian Government, in his adj
dress to the American Youth
Congress. The Presidents denun-
citation of Russia as a dictator
ship and an aggressor against
Poland and Finland was coupled
with a warning to the young peo-
pie in his audience not to be led
astray by Communist propagan-
da emanating from Russia. Short
of breaking off diplomatic rela-
tons with the Soviet Govern
ment he could hardly have gone
farther.
Drastic Steps
The Presidents remarks have
given impetus to the demand that
the United States should break
off relations with Russia by re-
calling the American Ambassa-
dor. The Administration is not
prepared to take such a drastic
step, especially in view OF the
large volume of trade between
the United States and Russia.
Russia's imports from the United
States have been steadily increas-
ing for the past year and now
run to more than $25,O0O,OO0 a
year. This trade is not lightly to
be abandoned, nor do the Presl-
dent and his advisers contem-
plate step which might preclpl-
tate the United States into the
European conflict.
But by the use of all possible
measures short of war" as the
President phrased it, the deter
nination to do everything posi-
BILE to hamper Russia and to aid
Finland seems to be shaping into
definite Governmental policy.
There is little question now that
ways will be found, without vio-
lating the letter of the Neutra-
lity Act, to provide financial as
sistance to Finland to enable that
little nation to strengthen its de-
lenses against the Russian invad-
er. Finland's greatest military
needs are fighting airplanes and
anti-aircraft guns. The United
States is in a position to furnish
these and there is a feeling in
Washington, growing almost to
a conviction, that this Govern
ment should disregard legal tech
nicalities and come to the rescue
of the Firms.
The question as to how we can
do that without becoming parti-
cipants in war is a touchy one to
which nobody yet has clear an
swer. Both the White House and
the Capitol are warily mindful
of what officials regard as the
peoples mandate that we must
not get into Europe's war.
Looking for Peace Plan
The Government is quite def
nitely taking a hand in European
affairs, however, looking toward
the end of hostilities. No definite
peace plan has been offered, but
all the neutral nations have beer
sounded out to see if a basis car
be found for peace proposals
which might be acceptable to al
the belligerents.
In pursuit of this objective, an.
other unprecedented step has
been taken by the President. Be-
sides sending Myron c. Taylor as
his personal representative to the
Vatican, in the interests of peace
Mr.. Roosevelt has sent Sumner
N. Welles, Under-Secretary Of
State, to visit the heads of the
principal warning nations ano
sound them out as to terms anc
conditions under which they
might be willing to lay doWr
their arms.
Mr.. Welles is considered, with
practical unanimity, as the ables1
diplomat in the service OF the
United States. He has been the
Governments principal trouble
shooter" for almost a quarter Of
a century, going wherever the
services are needed of mar
who knows all the ms and outs
of international affairs. He has
served as Ambassador, Minister
or First Secretary in most of the
canitals of Europe, Latin Ameri.