Evening star., 1941-06-22
By JOHN c. HENRY.


Washington and the Axis capitals
Of Rome and Berlin are hanging
together by the most fragile threads
after a weeks exchange of harsh
words and actions.
Beginning last Saturday with
surprise presidential order freezing
all continental European assets IN
the United States. including those
of German and Italian ownership,
this Governments steady drumf1re
of deeds and declarations was
climaxed yesterday by a curt request
for the closing of all Italian con-
sulates and eight Fascist agencies
in this country.
Between these two steps had
come the request last Monday for
disestablishment of German consul
ates and three NaM organizations
here, President Roosevelt's special
message to Congress branding Ger
man sinking of the American
merchantmen Robin Moor the act
of AN international outlaw" and
a peremptory reference of this
report to the Nazi government in
place of the customary formal
diplomatic note of protest.
Axis Retaliation Prompt.
Retaliation in Berlin and Rome
was prompt and equally brusque as
American assets in those countries
were firmly nailed down and our
consular agents and employees of
the American Express Co. were
ordered out of the Axis and Axis
occupied countries by July Is.
Yesterdays closing order against
the italian conSulates and agencies
made even less effort than that of
Monday against the Germans to
place on the record a specific reason
for the action. Whereas the election
of NaZl representatives was request
ed on grounds they had been
engaged in activities wholly out
side the scope of their legitimate
duties" the Fascist government was
informed merely that:
In the opinion of the Govern
ment of the United States it is
obvious that the continued func-
tioning of Itatlian consular estab-
Gshments in territory of the United
States would serve no desirable pur-
pose"
The closing order was transmitted
IN the name of the Undersecretary
of State Sumner Welles to the Ital-
ian Ambassador, Don Ascanio Del
Principi Colonna
105 Italian Citizens Affected.
Agencies affected, the State De-
partment said, were the Office of
the Italian Commercial Counselor
in New York. the Italian Tourist
Information Office, Italian Commis-
sion for the New York Worlds Fair,
italian National Institute of Ex-
change, Italian Library of Infor-
nation, Italian State Tobacco Mo-
nopoly, Custodian of Leonardo da
Vinci Exposition and Itacable Co.
In New York.
The department said that los
italian citizens connected with the
consulates and agencies must ar
range for their departure from the
OIlGSu oDdGSS ny July ID.
At the same time, in answer to
Axis charges of improper activi-
ties by our consels in those States,
Mr.. Welles told a press conference
yesterday that the American en-
bassies in Rome and Berlin had
been instructed to forward cate
sorical denials to those govern
mentS.
Announcement of the expected
order against italian representa-
tives here came simultaneously yes
terday with that of the unexpected
and unusual handling of the Robin
Moor protest, the mere reference of
q not-diplomatically softened presi-
dental message to the government
of the Reich.
Bill to Be Submitted.
Nothing further is required"
Mr.. Welles salad graphically when
correspondents inquired if a more
formal note is to follow. He added,
however, that a bill of damages
will be submitted to Berlin when
the official demand for reparations
is prepared.
Notice that such a demand will
be made in compensation for the
outrageous and indefensible sinking"
was contained in Mr.. Roosevelt's s
message.
Meanwhile, there was speculation
here as to the steps contemplated
by Mr.. Roosevelt in implementation
of his declaration that I'VE are not
yielding and We do not propose to
yield" to Nazi intimidation on the
seas.
Although Government spokesrnen
would give no hint, best guess seemed
to be that continuance Of German
submarine warfare will result in the
American Navy matching force with
force-perhaps to the extent of an
undeclared war at sea. Ample pre-
cedent for this decision can be found
in the history of American foreign
policy and already has been cited
publicly by President Roosevelt.
Alien Movement Regulated.
As has been the tactic of this
Government, the Axis governments
may choose to act rather than talk
about its immediate intent in this
regard. In keeping with such STRAIT
egy, there may be no reply other
than acknowledgment of receipt Of
Mr.. Roosevelt's message on the
Robin Moor case.
With aliens, particularly those of
the two Axis nations already under
surveillance and restricted freedom
in this country, President Roosevelt
took a further step yesterday to
apply controls to espionage and sub
versive activities, approving legisla-
ton giving him virtually unlimited
authority to regulate entry into and
departure from the United States OF
both aliens and citizens.
The measure received final con-
gressional approval on Friday. The
authority as far as citizens are con-
cerned is limited to the duration OF
the present emergency.
Senators said the authority would
rot be used to interfere with nor
mai travel of persons between this