Evening star., 1941-02-23
Aid Measure Expected to Link
America Closely With Britain
Economic Defense Department Held Possible
Observer Doubts Enactment Would Drag
This Country Into War
By Felix NJ Morley.

It is now generally realized that the
approaching enactment of the lease-lend
bill will open new chapter in American
history. But 1t Is much easier to recog-
nize that fact than it is to estimate what
the fact portends.
Various historic principles and as
sumptions will certainly be laid to rest
when the President affiXes his signature
to this BILL even as amended. The doc
trine of isolation, with all that is implied
therein. will be thing of the past. The
same will be true Of the concept OF
American neutrality in foreign wars.
For with acceptance of the doctrine that
it is our duty to restrict aggression,
anywhere, no future war will be for
eign" to the United States.
In theory, at least, the armed strength
OF this country should henceforth be at
the disposal of whatever organization
NAV be established to preserve peace.
This is the second time that executive
effort has been eXerted to make the
United States assume a position of world
leadership ana international RESPONSE
bility. But it is very noteworthy that
the present technique is just the oppo-
site of that used in the last war.
The Wilson administration entered
that war with plan for a League OF
Nations, but with no authorization to
commit the United States to permanent
membership therein. And when fight
ing stopped, the Senate refused to under
write the agreement reached in Paris.
President Roosevelt is asking for the
authorization first and will let the plan
develop afterWard
One Real Issue in Bill.
The issue of executive power through
out has been the one real issue in the
lease-lend BILL compared to which the
question of aid to Britain has been
wholly secondary While only small
minority opposes that aid, it has been
made to appear, with copious newspaper
assistance, that all opposition to the bill
is somehow pro-Nazi. That technique
is repulsive to the sense of fair play, but
it's subtlety must be admitted. In the
upshot it will result in giving the Presi-
dent enormous blanket powers which he
should be able to use for developing
really effective American participation
In future international organization.
It must not be assumed, as the minor
fly report of the Senate Foreign Rela-
tions Committee tends to assume, that
this enormous grant Of power to the
President will necessarily be followed by
American entry into the war as an &C
tive belligerent.
Such a development is certainly pos
sible and plenty of excuse will be given
the axis to force. the issue at any time.
But If Japan and Germany refrain from
declaring war on the United States, it
may be presumed that the United
States will refrain from declaring war on
them. Much can de done to develop
Americas role without taking that step.
In the first place, it is evident that
public opinion is still as strongly opposed
to declaring war as it is strongly favor
able to aiding Britain up to the point of
actual hostilities AS sentiment now
runs, only a very unpolitical President
would voluntarily risk sending an expe-
dictionary force to Europe, or ordering
the fleet into action in the Far East.
And Mr.. Roosevelt is extraordinarily in
tuitive as to what public opinion will and
will not indorse.
German Position Stronger.
Moreover, so far as the European scene
Is concerned, the current picture is very
discouraging for advocates of armed
American intervention. The new agree
ment between Turkey and Bulgaria, OBJ
viously made with Russian as well as
German connivance, has strengthened
Hitlers continental system. 1t has fur
ther emphasized the fact that Britain
stands on the defensive, with any land
offensive against Germany most un-
certain hypothesis. American strategy,
therefore, will not at the moment go be-
yond aiding the British defense.
The situation in the Far East is more
precarious, so far as the risk of Amer
lean combat action is concerned. A Jap