Evening star., 1941-10-16
Pepper Says U. 5.
Should 'ImmobiIize'
japanese al Once
Prepare to Fight Hitler
By Wipine Out Axis Fleets.
Florida Senator Advises
BY the Associated Press.

Senator Pepper, Democrat, of
Florida counselled the United States
today to prepare for certain" con-
nict with Hitler by "immobilzing
Japan" and by sweeping the seas
clear of the Japanese, German,
Italian and French fleets.
TT is just as certain that we are
going to have to fight Hitler as it is
that the United States and Great
Britain are going to continue to
exist" Senator Pepper told newsmen.
I'VE and Hitler are going to be
the eventual ones between whom the
struggle will be decided"
The Florida Senator. a member Of
the Foreign Relations Committee
and a vehement advocate of more
active aid to Axis foes, declared that
Japan was awaiting the outcome of
the Russo German war before TAX
ing new military steps.
Foresees New Aggression.
IF Hitler should destroy Russia,
he said, "it follows as night after day
that the Japanese will strike with
further aggression. A long
time ago we should have used our
naval and air forces. plus relentless
economic pressure, at points where
that would do the most good.
1T is not yet too late to draw a
line and tell Japan If it Is crossed
we will shoot"
Senator Pepper was the second
member of the Senate this week to
talk of hostilities with Japan. Only
Tuesday Senator Norris, independ-
ent. of Nebraska said that German
triumph in Russia might touch OH
war between the United States and
Japan in the Pacific as quick as
a wink" Senator Norris added he
was not so sure that it would be a
bad thing for us"
Senator Pepper took the position
that "if Japan Is going to be dag
ger suspended over our back while
we are about to enter the struggle
against Hitler, we should take salts
factory steps to immobilize Japan
before our situation becomes more
acute in the Atlantic. l mean liter
ally immobilize her"
Silent as to A. E. F.
The statement that this Nation
was about to enter" the fight led
reporters to ask the Senator whether
he favored an American expedi-
tionary force to take the field against
Germany.
Senator Pepper said he had no
comment on that, but added:
THE time is long past when we
should have taken the initiative. 1t
is Just as certain that we will have
to fight Hitler as it is that the sun
will shine. At least we should drive
Hitler off the seas, and destroy the
Japanese, Italian and French navies.
That would make it impossible for
him to get to us for few years at
least, and during that time we could
consolidate our strength. h.''
The idea of Japan and the
United States going to war was
inconceivable, however, to Senator
Wheeler, Democrat. of Montana. un-
tagging opponent of administration
foreign policy.
There is no reason in the world
why the United States and Japan
should 60 to war" Senator Wheeler
contended. Japan is one of our
best customers and We are one Of hel
best customers. l think we can
settle all our differences by peaceful
means unless the hotheads in Japan
60 crazy.
Both from the military and
economic standpoint she would not
be able to stand up against us" he
said. Some people say we ought
to move in on Japan now while she
is engaged with China. That is like
saying you ought to 60 down and
fight q neighbor who is fighting
another because he may fight you
later on"