The Wilmington morning star., 1940-09-28
S.TO FOLLOW
PRESENT POLICIES
Continued From Page One)

flict."
Since, of all the great powers,
only Russia and the United States
are not engaged in one Or the other
of those conflicts, and since Russia
is tied to Germany by treaty, many
thought the conclusion unacceptable
that the new pact was aimed di'
rectly at this country.
Motive
It was motivated, a prevailing
opinion ran, by a desire on the
part of the Axis powers to sto por
retard American h e Up to Great
Britain and, in the same way, to
end such anti-Japanese actions as
the recent loan to China and the
banning of scrap iron ad steel
sales to Japa.
The only apprehension apparent
ly felt by state department Off
Gals, who received word Of the
conclusion of the treaty with a
noticeable lack of surprise or ex-
element, was that it might en-
courage the extremist group Of the
Japanese military clique to some
aggravation Of the situation at
Shanghai. There Japan and the
United States have been engaged
in a dispute as to who should patrol
a section which was formerly held
by the British and in which the
American consulate and other in
terests are locate.
There was no sign that the Unit
ed States was planning further i'm
mediate economic moves against
the Japanese, but it was plain that
several such economic weapons are
still held in reserve-including the
erection of an embargo against
imports Of Japanese silk. Such a
step, many believe, would hit ia
pan in a vital spot.
Declines Comment
At President Roosevelt's mid
morning press conference, he de-
clined to comment on the pact be-
yond answering yes and o, some
what archly, to a questio whether
the treaty had been expected. But
Secretary Hull was ready for the
correspondents when they met him
at 1890. l
rave of mien, as always, he
inquired whether the reporters had
any questions to ask. The first
inquiry, of course, dealt with the
Axis pact. Still unsmiling,. the Sec
rotary drew a prepared statement
from his inside coat pocket and
read it.:
1.-The reported agreement Of al
lance" he said, ''does not in the
view Of the United States, SUBJ
stantially altr a situation which
has existed for several years. An
nouncement of. the alliance mere
ly makes clear to all a relation.
ship which has long existed and
to which this government has re-
peatedly called attention.
THAT such an agreement has
been in process of conclusion has
been well known for some time.
That fact has been fully taken into
account by the government Of the
United States in the determinin
of this country's policies"
ION what occasions has the
government called attention to this
relationship" a reporter asked.
IT must decline to be cross ex,
amined," Hull replied and the dis
cussion moved on to other sub
jects.
Lord Lothian brought with him
the White House Sir Walter Lay
ton, of the council of British minis
try of supply in charge of formulat-
ing the munitions program, and
Neville Butler, councillor of the
embassy here. On leaving. Lothian
said his country would welcome
all kinds of American supplies sent
with the greatest speed. Asked
what England's greatest need"
was, he answered: More Of every.
thing and quick" al
Dow Mr.. Couch aff;,;,-- -.