Evening star., 1941-06-21

laid out, there is little likelihood 1t
will be made known in advance-in
line with administration policy
these days of telling the Axis as
little as possible.
Mr.. Roosevelt's message yesterday
in effect report on the sinking OF
the Robin Moor. was bitter denun-
citation of German conduct in the
whole incident-"the act of an in
ternational outlaw"
In the action the President saw
a pattern of NaZi intent to drive
American shipping from the seas
a design without regard for inter-
national law or humanity.
I'VE Do Not Propose to Yield"
I'VE must take it," he said, that
notice has now been served upon us
that no American ship or cargo on
any of the seven seas can consider
itself immune from acts of piracy.
We must take the sinking of
the Robin Moor as warning to
the United States not to resist the
Nazi movement of world conquest.
We are not yielding and We
do not propose to yield"
Congressional comments on the
message, as reported by the Asso-
ciated Press, varied from that of
Senator Byrnes, Democrat, of South
Carolina, who said, Il heartily sub
scribe to the view of the President" 4"
to that of Representative Knutsen,
Republican, of Minnesota, who
characterized it as "a curtain-raiser
for a declaration of war"
Some quarters here believed that
in the event Germany rejected the
United States protest, the Presi-
dents message would furnish the
groundwork for some decisive ac-
tion. And there were few, if any,
VINO felt that the Reich, in view
of its previous attitude toward the
episode, would submit to the de-
mand for reparations.
Sunk by German Sub.
1iIicc scdiS dSO, iiOWcNcl. lIlt
United States obtained s2,2l4,007
in reparations from Japan for the
sinking of the United States gun
boat Panay and for attendant dam
age to other American property
along the Yangtze River in China
The claim was paid a little over
four months after the Panay and
three Standard Oil vessels were
bombed December IL, 1887.
The Robin Moor, out of New York
for South African ports. was sunk
May 81 by-Mr. Roosevelt declared
positively-a German submarine.
The total disregard shown fol-
the most elementary principles OF
international law and of humanity
brands the sinking of the Robin
Moor as the act of an international
outlaw" the Chief Executive de-
clared. The fact that passengers
and crew members were picked up
later by friendly vessels did not
he said, lessen the brutality of
casting the boats adrift in mid
ocean"
Congress Not Asked to Act.
Senator Pepper, Democrat, of
Florida, member of the Foreign
Relations Committee, expressed
hope the message would shock the
Congress and the country into an
awareness of how this Nazi monster
is clutching closer and closer at our
throats.'
obviously" Senator Pepper said,
Hitler has set out to drive us off
the seas and close the sea lanes.
The sinking of the Robin Moor
within the Western Hemisphere is
simply stage in his whole strategy" !"
Representative Eaton, Republican,
of New Jersey, a member of the
House Foreign Affairs Committee
saw the Presidents uttsrance as "a
sound American message though
"of course it is one more step into
great tragedy"
Senator OMahoney, Democrat, of
wyoming told reporters that al
though the President pointed out
what must be acknowledged as an
act of war by Germany against
this country and a disregard of our
rights, he did not ask Congress to
do anything"
Realistic Treatment.
Mr.. Roosevelt's demand for repa-
ration, Senator OMahoney declared
indicated realistically that the
President is recognizing the condl-
tions which exist in the world and
is announcing firm policy of main
tanning our rights, but is not asking
that we declare war"
Senator Wheeler, Democrat, OF
Montana said. mo one can defend
German treatment of the survivors
II was cruel-but the President did
not tell the American people that
10 per cent of the Robin Moor cargo
was contraband of war-and as such
was subject to seizure or destruction
by belligerents."
Chairman Bloom of the House
Foreign Affairs Committee declared
THE message speaks for itself and
Is right to the point in every way
Chairman George of the Senate
Foreign Relations Committee re-
fused to comment Immediately.
Summer pronrnm Renine