The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1941-05-15
Economic .
M9hA9hA
Happenings That Affect the Dinner
Pals, Dividend Checks and Tax
Bills of Every Individual. National
and International Problems Insep-
arabic from Local Welfare.

AiAAo Va AVVAy ViuuoAs 4>otAOAoA
and International Problems Insep-
arabic from Local Welfare.
On the third of May, Joseph Alsop's
and Robert Kintner's widely syndi-
Gated Washington column said this:
|"The President has reached the mo-
|ment when he must make the most
serious decision of his long career.
Within the last fortnight the leading
Figures of the Administration and
the most influential military and ma
val experts have all but unanimously
ceased to hope Britain can win this
war without active American inter-
vention. The President must there
fore decide between war and peace
for his country"
1t is extremely significant that
good many other Washington writer's,
along with men in high governmental
circles, are making similar state
ments. The recent aggressive speech
Of Secretary Knox, in which he said,
in effect, that America will fight if
and when national interests make war
advisable, indicates the way the Of
fetal wind is blowing. And the Presi-
dent went farther than he has usually
gone, in his speech dedicating Wood
row Wilson's birthplace, made on May
a. He said, connecting up the pres
ent crisis with that which confronted
Wilson in 1917, that this country
would fight again whenever it's basic
freedoms were in danger from any
quarter.
This does not mean that there is
much likelihood of the President ask
ling Congress to declare war upon the
Axis. In official circles, it is believed
that there is no need for that-some
think that we might become active
participants in the war without even
completely severing relations between
our selves and Germany. What Eng
| land wants now is our unlimited naval
support and the British government is
making it clear to American represen-
tatives in London that without that
support, Hitler will continue to hold
a disastrous advantage.
Lately there were reports that
American cargo ships, with American
naval escorts. had reached Suez,
though the Navy Department at once
denied that our ships were being used
for convoy purposes anywhere. To
many observers, it is evident that the
Presidents extension of our so-called
neutrality patrol far into the Atlantic,
greatly increases our chances of be-
coming involved in grave international
"incidents." Theoretically, this patrol
is simply supposed to spot German
subs and raiders and to then inform
British conveys and fighting ships of
their location. Actually, it would not
come as any particular surprise if
the Germans attacked our patrol
vessels-and our vessels roared into
action in reply.
Some influential circles are in favor
of using the American Navy to convoy
ships right into British harbors if
need be-they argue that it simply
doesn't make sense to permit our
planes and tanks and munitions and
other implements of war to be sunk.
The finest fighting equipment ever
made is of no service to the democra-
cies, on the bottom Of the ocean.
What opposition may be expected
to the steps that might lead us to
war? At the moment, it looks as if
Congress will back up the President
in any course he may decide upon.
THE leader of the official opposition
Wendell Willllie, said on May 3 that
he is absolutely in favor Of delivering
the goods to Britain, whether it be
,Iby convoy, airplane accompaniment
or any other method deemed best. "
He is authoritatively reported to have
sent the President word that he would
support him in any such move. The
, isolationist groups, of which the
! America First Committee, with Col
!, onel Lindbergh as it's best-known
:, speaker is leader, will fight any fur
ther aid-to- England steps, as they
!, have fought all such steps in the past
But, Judging by the polls and the tenn
per of Congress, these groups have
relatively little public or official sup,
! port.
Japan may cause trouble-if she
'Ithreatens Singapore, the Dutch East
Indies, French lndo- China, or the
Philippines, it will be necessary tC
keep large part of our Navy in the
l Pacific, where it cannot be used fol
convoy duty. However, we probably
. could spare the bulk of our destroyers
for Atlantic service, and it is these
a speedy little craft which are most
, needed for fighting the U-boat menace
Both this country and Britain are alsc
remaking ships into improvised air.
craft carriers for use for convoy work
The airplane is an effective weapon
against the submarine, both for spot
; ting and attack.
According to Secretary Knox, "lr
| 90 days this nation will be producing
2 more combat equipment than any
= country in the world, including Ger
: many"