Evening star., 1941-08-10

ing its defenses but Is also advancing
toward war.
Similarly, Mr.. Sumner Welles, as Act
ing Secretary of State, has been careful
to point out that the economic sanctions
we are taking against Japan are wholly
defensive in intent.
Our occupation of Iceland was de-
fensive. The japanese occupation of
Indo-Ch was aggressive. But the
penalties imposed on Japan for its
aggressive action are defensive on our
part, though, as Mr.. Welles points out,
France was close to being aggressive by
assuming that Indo-China needed what
it pleased Vichy to call defense by Japan.
Uses Word advancing"
So much effort has been expended
in making this clear that one wonders
why Mr. Churchill should have thought
it desirable to say that the United
States lis advancing"-instead of is
being pushed by the Axis-"to the very
verge of war"
However, he used the words as quoted.
And since British Prime Ministers are
always meticulously careful in the Ian
guage of their reports to Parliament, 1t
must be assumed that Mr.. Churchill
meant what he said. Moreover, though
nearly two weeks have elapsed since
this official statement regarding our
policy was made to Parliament, there
has as vet been no denial of its accuracy
from Washington.
So even if Mr.. Churchill did not in
form Mr.. Roosevelt in advance what he
proposed to tell Parliament about Amer
ican foreign policy-which would have
been normal diplomatic procedure-lt
still seems undeniable that what the
British Prime Minister said accords
with fact. For if it were deniable it
would by this time have been denied.
1t is not merely the assumption OF
| the Axis governments, but is also the
! considered opinion of the British Prime
Minister that the Roosevelt admlnlstra-
ton has gone far beyond the expressed
! purpose of the Lease-Lend Act land is
/ advancing in rising wrath and convic-
ton to the very verge of war;
More RECOMMENDATION Coming.
This conclusion, transmitted to the
! elected representatives of the British
people by Mr.. Churchill, gives broader
applicability to his warning of the ad-
| vent of effective regimentation in all
aspects of British national life.
If that must be expected in Great
Britain. in order to achieve the pro-
| ductivity necessary to carry on the war,
| it must also be expected. though not
| necessarily Immediately, if, as and when
| the United States becomes belligerent.
Already, while still serving only as the
arsenal of democracy" there are accumu-
| lating intimations of great and basic
changes in our economic system. In
creasing strain will bring those changes
| with increasing speed.
Mr Roosevelt suggested as much in
his price control message of July 30,
| but it is to be feared that this was
rather too soothing for the actual situa-
ton. In terms reminiscent OF War;
rem G. Harding, the President spoke
last week of "a return to normal
peacetime basis" There will be no such
return, at least for this generation, if
the United States takes over from hard
| pressed British hands the ultimate re-
sponsibility of securing knockout vic
tory over Germany, Italy and Japan.
Capitalism Faces Changes.
Mr. Churchill is not talking, and none
of his responsible fellow -countrymen is
talking, of "a return to normal peace
time basis" as something which will
automatically follow the conclusion of
hostilities.
1t is totalitarian reorganization which
| has given the Axis its tremendous fight
ing and staying qualities. 1t is totali-
tartan RECOMMENDATION which explains the
disciplined power of Russian resistance
It is totalitarian regimentation, as Mr.
Churchill warns which must be carried
ever further if the democracies are to
win the dictated peace which is still gen.
orally envisaged. And there is narrow
ing ground for the assumption that such
a victory, if it comes, will find the victors
still democracies.