Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1943-10-15
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BEHIND
The NEWS
auI.
MalIon


dust is being swept higher and
higher 10 obscure popular WIS.,
ion
OWliSh Mr. Churchill. for eX-
ample. has characterized the
plea of the five American Sena-
tors for equal trade opportuni-
ties and defensive island bases
as American fighting among
politicians. His British press,
however. has taken up the
British Cudgel
The British papers say their
nation is upset, seriously
alarmed. feels "a body blow 10
Anglo-U. s collaboration, ~ sees
an isolatonist uprising in the
I.
IF THE splniSterlSh Britannia
Il press really were alarmed
about the state Of Anglo-Amerl-
can relations. they would an
SWcr the five senators directly.
They would say for instance.
that the British labels were put
on American canned goods to
Turkey and elsewhere through
OVer-eXuberanCe OF trade instinct
which hereafter will be COR
rected. Or they would say the
large acCumulatiOnS of British
on were duo to OvcTpfdunInE and
that these now Will be released.
Such response really would
cement Anglo-American rela-
tons
Instead, the irony of the
British position was evident in
the simultaneous London an
nouncement of their acquisition
of invaluable Portuguese bases at
the Azores which they said
they would let us use.
Mr.. Roosevelts handling Of
the same matter was a bit diff
ferent. While laughing at the
five senators as fellow travellers
presumably of isolationiStSl 4.
his Mr. IckeS announced re-
organization of the foreign oil
distribution bureau apparently
to correct one phase of their
complaint.
DEHIND Mr.. ROosevelt'S as
ID Sumed attitude evidently
is the fear that the senator's
report will be used against him
politically.
His men on Capitol Hill
worked on the committeeman
following their return. Senator
Mead, closest 10 the White
House. came at least halfway
around and seemed TO apologize
for the committee. but made II
clear that, while they had found
many good factors abroad.
they had found more situations
which were displeasing and I'M
satisfactory.
The three Democrats among
the five senators have been as
inSiStent in their views as the
Republicans. and all are unani-
NOUS upon the basic points
namely, that we must not let
the British put it over on US in
reSelling our goods, that we
must look out for trade, air and
military bases around the world
for postwar.
THE disputed Russian base phas
Il is another matter. Only Sen
ator Lodge tR) estimated 1000,
900 American lives would be save
if Russia would give us air base
to attack Japan. The Russial
position is understood here.
Most authorities expect RuSSii
will declare war on Japan as sool
as the Germans are beaten. Tn
Russians are natural enemies o
the JapS
Also Senator Chandler CD /
alone among the five in his de
mand that our war emphasis b,
shifted Immediately to the Pacific
The Churchill and Roosevelt
of the senatorial com
plants. therefore, may play int
the hands of iSolationists anC
by making an issue
out Of what cou d have beer
accepted as a wise recommends
ton for an alteration in American
policy.
No doubt Mr.. Roosevelt vii
make the change Of policy any
way.
Distributed nv King Features Synd Inc.
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