Evening star., 1940-02-10

dent Wilson, but ''''''''''''' v
the fact is, Mr.. David Lawrence.
Welles goes to Europe for an en-
tirely different reason-a lack of in
formation here concerning the war
as well as the peace.
1t is frequently forgotten that the
United States has mo Ambassador
in Berlin and that flrst-hand infor-
nation about the desires and at
titudes of the present German
government are not available here.
Mr.. Welles has no instructions
about seeing Chancellor Hitler, but
it would be surprising if the latter
did not take advantage of Mr..
Welles' presence to have frank
talk about many of the questions
that have arisen between Germany
and the United States in connec-
ton with the war.
Mr.. Welles' itinerary starts with
Italy, and then he goes to Germany,
How much time he will spend in
Central Europe is undetermined
but it is about Central Europe and
conditions there of an economic
character which might arise when
peace comes that the United States
Government is most anxious to
know.
Economies Given Place.
The possibility that the United
States may play an even greater
part in financial and economic re-
habilitation of Europe after the
present war than it did after the
last war may be read from the terse
language of the official announce
ment by Secretary Hull concerning
preliminary inquiries" with neu-
trail governments relating to a
sound international economic sys-
tem."
Americas enormous supply of gold
may come into play in a postwar
readjustment, and it would not be
impossible for America to extend
loans to neutral governments, and
perhaps to present belligerents, when
peace comes, provided new funding
arrangements on old debts can be
satisfactorily negotiated.
Mr.. Roosevelt has absolute conf
dence in Mr.. Welles. He has the
same in Secretary Hull, but it would
be impractical for the latter to leave
the State Department at the present
time for an extended absence. Mr.,
Welles is an experienced diplomat.
He won praise from a Republican
Secretary of State, Charles Evans
Hughes, for his handling of Santo
Domingo affairs in the 20s and he
has been a lifelong personal friend
of Mr.. Roosevelt. In the Depart
ment of State, Mr.. Welles has work.
ed long hours every day, first IN
Latin American affairs and lately
on European questions. He is dis
Greet, a good listener and an ex-
cellent reporter of things he sees.
Broad View Essential.
The fact that the President de-
cided to send special envoy to
Europe at this time is no reflection
on the American Ambassadors at
the various European capitals be-
cause each becomes more or less
effected or influenced by the view
point of the government in the
country to which he is accredited
It was the same in the World War,
An all-inclusive view with broad
perspective was only possible
through a rowing envoy, who in
President Wilson's administration
was Col. House. Mr.. Welles, how
ever, has had far more experience
with diplomacy than Col. House did
when he went abroad during the
European war. And he will also fol-
low to the letter his instructions
to make no commitment on behalf
of the United States Government.
It will be noted that the Presi-
dent wisely announced this point
In advance, so that there could be
no misunderstanding later on Of
anything which Mr.. Welles might
say in informal conversation. He
can, of course, bring back recon-
mendations, but it will be for the
President and the Senate to decide
on any departures in foreign policy
Evidence of Hope.
Much encouragement can be de-
rived from the Presidents initiative
in sending a special envoy to Europe
at this time. 1t shows that Mr.
Roosevelt and Secretary Hull have
by no means lost hope OF using
Americas influence in any practica
way to bring about at the earliest
possible moment the termination Of
bloodshed and the restoration ol
civilized living in Europe.
As the time nears for the bis
spring offensive, the United States
Government wants to manifest ir
any formal or informal way thai
seems desirable its readiness tt
transmit proposals or suggestion!
that can lead to successful media
ton. Peace in Europe is still upper
most in the Presidents mind as the
biggest single task ahead, especially
as little by little it becomes apparent
that the war itself will produce 9
stalemate in military sense, con-
current with slow disintegration o1
economic resources that can onl,
pile up economic trouble for the
peoples of neutral as we'll as bel.
ligerent countries.
(Reproduction Rights Reserved,