The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1941-04-18
FRIpAY, APRIL Is, IN
GETTING INTO WAR

GETTING INTO WAR
Is the United States going to
enter the second world war in a
military sense within the near
future?
NO is the answer of close ad-
users to President Roosevelt.
YES" is the answer of Con-
srsss. taken from a cross-section
If opinion on Capitol Hill.
The Presidents advisers picture
lin as determined to keep this
United States out OF active war
are although committed fully 10
Using every other effort of the
United States to help Britain de-
.eat Hitler. They say they are
onvinced that this is the Presi-
tents confirmed policy. because:
Mr.. Roosevelt has publicly pro-
claimed he will keep the United
States at peace, and he had ad-
yised his closest friends in pri-
sate talks that he is opposed %
the United States becoming en-
gagged IN active warfare.
The subject OF the United States
becoming involved in the war
in military sense has never been
discussed at a cabinet session N
even the most indirect manner, and
his friends feel the President de-
sires to keep the United States
tree from repetition Of the futile
military losses OF the first World
War in order to present the
strongest possible military front
10 the world to face the expected
hazards Of the post-peace era to
come.
AS opposed TO this sentiment
among the Presidents closest ad-
yisers. there is distinct and gen.
eral feeling on Capitol Hill that
United States involvement in the
war Is inevitable. There are sew
eral things that provoke this pre-
sentiment, one OF the most prevail.
ent and significant being a fear"
that the President intends to push
the nation into the war because he
has been given so much power he
can plunge US into the war any
time he chooseA and because he
may be unable to resist British
pressure.
A more specific reason, given by
legislators for their fear" OF the
United States getting into the war,
Is the ever-nearing prospect OF the
use OF United States naval vessels
TO convoy merchantmen to Eng
land. Many Democrats and a mass
of Republicans believe the Pres!-
dent will order conveys in the very
near future and that the first com
bat between an American escort
ana German submarine or long
range bomber will result in war.
There are some Capitol Hill au-
thorities who do not expect war TO
result from the use OF United
States conveys. This group. in a
minority. either say the President
will not use conveys in the accept.
ed sense or that the Conveys will
be used only in the western half Of
the Atlantic where they will be
free from German raiders-whe
will wait for the merchantmen to
reach the area under British patrol
before attacking them.
And there are some who believe
mat a convoy battle will not result
IN war. These few say that Ger.
many will carry on its blockade Of
England sink merchantmen attack
even United States warships II
the opportunity should offer. but
always without declaring war on
the United States. And these few
add that they cannot see how the
President can ask Congress 10 de-
clare war on Germany II an Ameri.
can destroyer is sunk by a Ger.
man U-boat II he invites the attack
by sending the destroyer into the
war zone.
There is also the argument that
the United States will not get into
the war in a military sense because
the United States. even IL at war
with Germany, could not land
troops where they would be able
TO fight German troops-unfess a
suicidal effort were made to in
wade France with losses that no
military authority now recon.
mends.
These few see the United States.
II at war with Germany. sending
airmen and aviation ground crews
TO England or even TO the Mediter-
ranean to help Britain's r. AT.
They also see United States war
ships helping TO blockade Ger
many and its conquered territory
and helping TO ruin the German
blockade Of the British Isles but
they cannot envision use Of troops
abroad.
The main point about this talk OF
United States getting into the war
Is that II Is based on rumor. opin.
ion and fear rather than on any
specific plan or declaration OF tho
President. People closest to the
President say he intends to keen
the nation at peace. We hope they
are right.
The strength used up IN anger