The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1941-02-04
ANelo.AMERIcAN UNITY

ments foreign policy is moving
rapidly in this direction and It is
being given impetus by those who
believe that Anglo.American CO.
operation, both political and eco
nomic, must be the foundation
stone for the maintenance OF
world peace after the war is over.
Under such a plan the United
States and Great Britain would
place at one another's disposal in
Ghe future whatever defense facili-
ties might be required TO resist
aggression. short Of actual man
power for fighting purposes.
This idea envisages not only
the exchange Of naval and mill
tary bases, which already is I'M
derway, but also the exchange or
loan" Of all types Of defense ar
ticles which might be needed, in
GLIDING warships.
However, when such defense
articles as warships are loan
ed" the idea is to have them man.
ned by the nation which Dor
rows" them.
In this manner, it is hoped the
United States and Great Britain
might make available TO one an
other needed defenses without &C
tually b5ing dragged into one
another's wars.
Under the Lease Lend Bill the
President will be authorized to
permit British warships to use
American naval bases He also
will have the power TO- lease or
lend any American defense article,
including warships TO Great Bri-
tain.
In return for this and other aid
that the President may give Bri-
tain. American officials expect 10
obtain benefits which will bring
about the virtual merging Of the
two nations defense facilities.
The immediate benefits which
this government has in mind are
designed to serve the defense in
terests Of both countries. They
bear on the far eastern situation
and involve the use OF air and
naval bases in Australia and
New Zealand.
The American government
would like to have the use Of ports
and flying fields in eastern and
southern Australia and northern
New Zealand for refueling pur-
poses In case of necessity. In adj
dition to strengthening Amer.
ica's own defensive position in
the Pacific, the liability Of
those bases to o. 't~tes
might in itself SCI
ing TO Japan 70 re.l,..
lacking western posse,-ia-s e..
the Pacific such as Singapore
the Philippines or the Dutch
East Indies.
With this view in mind, Amer.
lean right 20 use those Austria
Ian and New Zealand bases
should be one OF the first bene-
fits to be granted by Britain In
return for the aid this government
plans to start giving, and natural
" the American government will
be expected 10 permit British
warships operating in the Pacific
10 use L. 5. naval bases at
Hawaii and elsewhere for refusl-
ling purposes.
The plan for the loaning OF
such defense articles as warships
enyissges payment in kind rather
than In cash for their deteriora-
ton, damage or loss while being
used by the borrower, which
doesn't mean much. Our loans TO
warning nations in the previous
World War envisaged repayment
s. We may envisage anything we
choose, but actually getting it is
another matter. The enyisaglng
part Of the program is bound 10
be a doubtful quantity. more or
less a sales argument for those
who can't think the proposition
through on the basis Of cold fact.
one cold TACT is that We cant
expect much Of any payment We
dcn't know what the outcome Of
the war viii be nor what our posi-.
ton wiz be when il is ended.
We do know that We shall be
deeply in debt We shall be divid.
ed in opinion. eTeu more tlan
now. and as our indebtedness
swelis, class hatred increases, and
the cia.istic theory Of govern.
msnt prevails.
The chief question seems IL he
not 50 much whether We shall
give all aid 10 Britain. as most OF
US fcel is ao7 cur first duty, but
rather how best to approach our
soN.aDsuc Idle Shall It come
b. the route OF war aid and debt.
or shall be forced upon Us d.
rectiy by the ambitious Herr Hit
ler3
Those who favor the socislistic
state Wuuf cafe much hich way
It comes 50 long as il comes.
Others can best maintain their
peace OF mind by believing our re-.
public viii prevail. much as the
ostrich feels secure when he
closes his eyes 10 danger.
To the rest OF the nation. 70
these who believe IN the republic
enough TO try TO keep It alive,
there falls the burden OF really
doing something about It. the bur
den Of preparedness for defense,
the burden Of aid short o. war,
keeping out Of European affairs
as We are pledged in the Monroe
Doctrine to DO and as the British
have asked US TO do. the burden,
OF home unity. government guild.