Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1941-02-20
CONGRESSMAN SECREST'S
COLUMN

Hitler's war moves and diplo-
matte strategy during the next few
weeks, while the lease-lend bill is
before congress, could have very
deep influence on the final provis-
ions of the bill.
Many recall the passive attitude
of the nation toward any program
of extensive defense measures at
this time year ago. With the sue
cessive invasions of Holland and
Belgium and the unexpected fall of
France, a wave of alarm swept the
gram would not be started soon
enough to satisfy the American peo-
pie.
At election time, total national
defense and every possible aid to
Britain were advocated by both
presidential candidates. The lease
lend bill brings us face to face with
the question of how far this aid
should go. Few advocate diminish
ing the aid already being given but
there is wide variance of opinion as
to the nature and extent of addi-
tional help.
Hitler's first desire is to keep our
aid to England, Greece and China at
the lowest possible levels. The
more impressive English victories in
Africa may appear at this time and
the safer Britain may appear be-
hind the waters of the English
Channel, the less likely England is
to get the all-out aid she desires
from this country
Hitler Moves Carefully
Hitler wants the use of the re-
mainder of the French fleet and cer-
tain ports in unocupied France.
This would give him ships and bases
for attack on the British fleet in
the Mediterranean. There would be
little military hazard in moving his
armies through France to take these
facilities. However, there is a pros
pect that such a move would set the
armies of General Weygand against
the Axis in Africa and further
arouse sentiment in the United
States. If Hitler can control these
facilities through a puppet French
government under Laval, he may ac-
cCmplish his purpose without open
ly bringing about serious adverse
reactions.
Japanese Threat In The Pacific
Hitler is holding japan for the
opportune moment in the Pacific.
him against England or the United
States or both. Hitler's object is to
divide the war effort Of the English
and the possible help of this country
at the time of his supreme offensive
in Europe.
There is some belief that as
typical surprise move Hitler might
even declare war on the United
States. This would be done only if
he is sure that Japan would join
him against the United States and
thus divide this nations defense and
war efforts between fighting the
Japanese in the Pacific and helping
the British in the Atlantic. Few be-
lieve that Japan now feels in posi-
tion to do this except at great risk
to herself. There is strong belief
that Japan would take such a step
at any advantageous moment Were
the Japanese to engage the British
in the east, Hitler would partially
accomplish the same objective with
out open hostilities against this
country.
Lease-Lend Amendments
On reporting the Lease-Lend bill
to the House, the Foreign Affairs
Committee added four amendments
to the bill. These provided that the
president dispose of no defense
equipment without consultation with
either or both the army chief of
staff or the chief of naval opera
tions; that the powers under the
bill suspend in June 1913; that the
use of naval vessels to convoy for
eign vessels is not authorized or
permitted under the bill; and that
the president report to congress ev-