Evening star., 1941-10-12

pretense that Germany and Russia are
not in state of war" which must be
maintained if American ships are legally
to carry munitions to Vladivostok. Even
more Objectionable is the wholesale
transfer of American ships to foreign
registry, so that they can transport NUM-
tions IN a way which would violate the
law if these vessels were under the
American flag.
1t is the sinking of some of these ships,
placed under the flag of Panama in order
to evade the neutrality law, which is
now bringing the whole issue to head.
The former Panama government assisted
in that healthy process by refusing to
' let its flag be flown over our ships when
armed with our guns installed at our
naval bases. In Washington it was said
that this decision was the result Of pres
sure from anti-American elements.
Policy of Evasion.
Be that as it may, the situation should
be welcomed if it helps to terminate a
practice under which we seek the con-
nivance of little Central American re-
public in order to evade and undermine
the specific provisions Of the law OF the
United States.
Whatever individual opinion about the
entry of the United States into the war,
there will be long-range gain if our ma
tional policy on the subject Of neutrality
becomes less contorted. devious, en-
tangled and indeed downright dishonest.
Much is made of the threat which a
German victory would pose for the
American system of government Perhaps
more attention should be paid to the
threat TO that system involved in the
present failure to make statute law
square with executive policy, or vice
versa
Under the balance of power laid down
in the American Constitution there have.
of course, been numerous instances in
which the executive pulled one way and
the legislature another.
The present case is outstanding partly
because the fundamental issue involved,
being war or peace, is so Immediately
/ crucial for the Nation. But it is out
standing also because the White House
position has not been clear-cut. as was
/ that of President Wilson's with regard
/ to joining the League of Nations During
the past year or so the administration
/ has unqueStionably sought to obtain its
ends by indirect action, short-circuiting
the authority of Congress.
Among those who believe deeply in
democratic processes and the device Of
representative government as the best
machinery to make those processes effec-
tive, this failure to confront the issue
squarely has aroused understandable
concern. 1t has begun to lock as though
the administration distrusts the voice of
the people as exercised through their
elected representatives.
Congress Is Avoided.
Thus We have the unedifying spectacle
of vehement partisan references to con-
f1icting polls of public opinion at time
when submission of the basic issue to
definitive congressional vote is being
attached to unofficial polls shows faith
in democracy. The evasion of the official
congressional test indicates mistrust No
wonder that there is widespread popular
confusion; that essential national unity
is still far from being obtained.
For yet another reason it is most
desirable that Congress should now be
called upon either to terminate or def
nitely uphold what remains of the Keep
America Out of War Act" ss the neu-
trality legislation is officially known
That reason has to do with the postwar
policy of the United States.
1t is undoubtedly true that The sur
render of established rights involved in
the neutrality law has helped to keep
the United States out of shooting war;
so far. But it is equally true that this
policy did less than nothing to avert the
advent of a war in which the entire
economy of the United States has now
become irrevocably involved. Indeed, by
serving notice that this country drew no
distinction between aggreSsors and their
victims, the United States obviously
helped to promote the aggression which
now threatens our own shores.
AS many pointed out in vain between
(See MORLEY, Page B-3)