Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-01-26
Says Voters Should
Pass on Aid to Firms
Believes Clear Expression Of
Will Would Follow Full
Disclosure of Facts
70 the Editor of The Star:

To the Editor OF The Star:
It is believed that a majority Of
Americans are convinced that facts of
aggression against sister nations auto
matically undermine all of u.s." A
large majority, no doubt, have genuine
sympathy for little debt-paying Fin
lands pitiful plight, but 1t Is doubted If
that same majority fully understand the
fundamental issue involved in our pro-
posed Government loan to Finland So
much has been said and written that Is
misleading or confusing. If the issue
were presented frankly by all depart
ments of the Government, the people
might urge their Government to follow
through with forceful assistance If that
is the only way out of this world debacle.
Why wait until 10 months from now to
give facts? Why should the public be
encouraged to believe now that q Gov
eminent loan to Finland for the pur-
chase of munitions might affect our
neutral status, whereas loan for the
purchase of food and clothing would
not? England and France recognize no
such distinction between munitions and
foodstuffs or clothing in their war Of
blockade. Nor does Germany nor, It lea-
sonably may be assumed, Russia Does
any one think for one minute that
England would permit Germany bound
vessel loaded with beef or cotton to
pass through her blockade? Or that
she would not denounce as an unneu-
trail act an extension of credit to Ger
many for the purchase of milk or wool?
Why not come out and say that the
Government of the United States really
doesn't concern itself with what Stain
may think?
The facts are that present-day war
fare is Waged on threefold front
military, economic, and political
Through the application of pressure in
each and all of these directions the
belligerents hope eventually to crumple
enemy resistance That fact Is so
generally recognized as to make its
repetition at this time seem almost trite
In view of this situation, our Govern
ment is compelled to admit that assist
ing nation at war to acquire munitions
or food or clothing is considered by that
nations enemy to be an unneutral
Russia are not at war is to bubble
Before the United States Government
grants loan to Finland-yes, even for
food and clothing for destitute civilians
it should see that the American public
is given the actual facts, in the light of
all information available on the current
attitudes of warning nations. Even come
right out and admit that it probably
will be considered a definitely I'M
neutral move, and put it up to the
voters to decide. 1t should be explained,
Of course, that any aid extended to
Finland might prove the first definite
step in a chain of incident" con-
troversy, retaliation and recrimination,
which would end-where? Just give the
pure unadulterated facts as they are,
and then leave it to the citizens of the
United States to decide just how far
they want to go in extending aid to
Finland. Let's lay all the cards face
up on the table and thresh it out
regardless Of politics. 1t may be that
facts Americans will reach the decision
that now is the time to take forceful
stand against Stain. They may all
decide that charity to Finland will
ultimately advance our interests. They
may conclude that the United States
cannot longer ignore the menace of
Red imperialism. They may believe that
q firm NV Int oI Cfota
leader Of all neutrals may promote an
early peace. They may even feel that
If the United States does not lend aid
now, she may find herself fighting alone
against Russia after all the civilized
nations of Europe are PROSTATE and I'M
able to resist the advance of communism
It's clear-cut ISSUE and should be so
presented in all fairness to democracy.
Americans are not slow in voicing their
opinions, and this matter of loan to
Finland shouldn't continue as a football
tossed from the Capitol to the White
House and back to the Capitol Just give
Americans the true facts, and the Con-
gress very shortly will see its way clear
to take definite action.
In the meantime, those of us who are
genuinely DESTROYS of extending aid to
the valiant Firms perhaps can prevail
upon the newspapers to accept sub
scriptions, just as they have done for
the needy during the past Christmas
season. D. D. D.
January %.
DisapprOves Of Stars