Evening star., 1940-12-25
Useful Role
Seen for U. S.
In Europe
Departure Of ENJOYS
For Posts Bespeoks
No Interference
BY EDGAR ANSEL MOWRER.

Ambassador William D. Leahy's
departure for France poSthaste on
United States cruiser and the hur-
r1ed preparations of Ambassador
William Phillips to leave for Rome
signify the belief in the cabinet and
State Department that the time has
come when American diplomacy can
again play useful role. But they
certainly do not imply that this
country intends, in any near future,
70 interfere" in Europe or to try
20 force our policies upon any one
there.
49, Remember the situation in June:
Hitler in possession of half of Eu-
rope; the Balkans ready to drop into
, his lap at word of command; Spain
visited by Germans armed in ar
mored trucks; Portugal a-tremble;
France, according to all appearances.
ready to buy into the axis cor buy
itself out of suffering by coldly de-
serting its British ally. There
seemed absolutely nothing that
American diplomacy could profitably
undertake, save mere registration of
the Hitler victory and the estab-
llShment of his new order. if not
over Britain at least over the rest
Of Europe, this side of Russia.
Changed by Italian Defeats.
All this has been changed by the
Italian defeats. The Balkans have
readopted a policy of watchful
waiting-at least Yugoslavia and
Bulgaria have; Petain seems to be
trying to maintain, in internal as
we'll as in external policy, posi-
ton about equally removed from
British democracy and German
FaScism (and risks being raped
over the knuckles by Germany for
his lmpertinence): Spain is quiet;
nearly anything can happen in Italy
The field is again open for discreet
end flexible diplomacy.
The first prerequisite of diplomacy
is full and accurate information.
AShe United States has had to put
up with certain amount of high
,hatting from France and has done
so patiently. Marshal Petain has
kept control of policy in his hands:
our representatives, being men of
moderate rank, have been unable
to maintain the desired contact with
him. 1t will be the first and chief
task of Ambassador Leahy to enter
into close contact with the marshal,
and 1t is felt that as an admiral
he is better able to talk the mar
shal's language than a career diplo-
mat would be.
Aim to Show Understanding.
If, in addition, Admiral Leahy
manages to win the confidence of
Gen. Maxine Weygand in North
Africa, so much the better. But this
will emphatically not mean that he
intends to try to induce the general
to do anything. or follow any but
his own policy. If there is any aim
behind the admiral Ambassadors
going to Vichy. it is to convince the
elderly marshal and the French
people that we sympathize with their |
misfortuneS and understand. even
where we cannot sympathize, with
their policies.
In Rome, Ambassador Phillips
chief task will be to maintain close /
contact with the Italian government |
and keep our Government closely |
and quickly informed of all develop |
nnents. Prime Minister Winston
Churchills radio threat to the
Italians might, just conceivably,
be a spur to certain sort of
evolution. While few here believe
that the Italians can or will try
to desert Germany in the near
future, the advantage of qualified
man of high rank on the spot is
obvious.
For the same reason, the presence
of a full-fedged American Am
bassador in London-one conceivably
more in sympathy with the British
than Joseph P. Kennedy-is becom-
ing increasingly urgent, and it is
believed that the President and Mr.
Hull will choose one in the near
future. AS I write, opinion favors
Norman Armour. Mr.. Armour is a
career diplomat of high rank, sterl-
ing character and ultraconservative
views, probably not far removed
from those of Lord Halifax whom
the British are sending to this
country.
Officials Conservative.
On the whole, State Department
officials are more conservative than
the average American voter. But,
although there can be no doubt but