Evening star., 1942-02-18

the southwark expansion to the
Philippines and Netherlands Indies
which it has always favored.
Discounted Lack of Money.
"The former theories of econo-
mists that lack of money will ham,
per the expansion of a nation i'm
bued with imperialistic aims seems
open to question. How has Germany
in about Is years. entirely bankrupt
at the start, been able to recruit
train and equip an army, air force
and navy which threatens the peace
of Europe? Italy, poverty stricken
! country, has in the same length OF
time created great army, great
air force, a formidable navy, and
! has carried on costly war in AbyS-
sinia. Two years ago Japan was re-
| ported by the economists to be in a
bad financial situation. Since then
! she has carried on a costly war for
| 18 months with million men under
! arms, shows no signs Of breaking
and is organizing companies involv-
ing billions of yen of capital for the
exploitation of China. Spain. an
other poverty stricken country can
carry on bloody, destructive civil
war for two and one-half years with
! the end not in sight These should
be interesting problems for the
economists at the college The solu-
ton should be very instructive and
profitable to us.
Stressed Threat to America.
"An expansion of the power of
the Japanese Empire such as out
lined above is a dangerous threat to
| the United States and the great
question is whether from the point
of view of our own national safety,
we can acquiesce in such a develop
ment without definite opposition
I'VE have certain very definite
domestic and foreign policies. We
believe strongly in our own form
of democratic government, and will.
resist any attempt from within OF
without to change it. On the other
hand. We are not particularly inter-
ested in the form of domestic gov
ernment any other country chooses
to adopt for itself.
I'VE believe in the Sanctity of
treaties, equal opportunity in trade,
and in peaceful means of settling
disputes between nations. We have
no desires for territorial sggrandize-
ment. Our Government and our
people are not believers in war as
a solution of international differ
ences. They will go to war, how
ever, when our national interests
are definitely threatened, and all
peaceful efforts at solution have
failed.
In the Far East, q situation has
arisen which definitely threatens
our national interests. The inde-
pendence of the. Chinese nation is
in imminent danger due to the war
like actions of Japan A stable, in
dependent China is the greatest
factor for peace in the Far East.
The United States has realized this
fact and has lent svmpa thetic sup
port to the efforts of the Chinese
people to establish such govern
ment. We have signed treaties
guaranteeing the integrity of China.
1T is obvious at the present time
that our treaties, trade, cultural
institutions, and influence in China
are in process of being eliminated.
Advocated Force.
THE consequences are of such
vital importance to us as a Nation,
that l strongly feel that We are
warranted to take steps, economic.
financial, and If necessary. use of
force, to preserve the independence
and integrity Of China.
Such steps. naturally, should not
be taken without full consideration
of the consequences. Modern war
has far reaching and unforeseen re-
suits on nations employing it. The
cost in lives and treasure, and the
disruption of the routine of peace
full existence, may even lead to the
overthrow of our form of govern
ment which we rightly guard so
jeaiously.
Yet when there are nations who
believe only in the sword to obtain
what they want from others, and
are anxious to use it, peaceably in
clined nations must go to war to
defend themselves. or accept domi-
nation. Such situation exists to-
day, and I cannot see how we can
escape being forced into eventual
war by the present trend of events.
The great problem confronting
the State, War and Navy Depart
mentS, in the event of our going to
war, is to see that the steps taken
before and during the war will carry
it through to victory with the least
burden on the Nation.
Warned Against Waste.
I'VE are all familiar with un-
/ paralleled expenditures and pro-
digious waste on our part in the
World War. This should not hap
pen again. Our financial structure,
none too sound at present on ac-
count of the huge public debt, can
not stand such a strain. The after
effects of the war must receive
serious consideration from the start.
With respect to war in the
Far East which Is the most prob
| nj ln>II>