Evening Star Newspaper, October 8, 1937, Page 9

Foreign Trade Is Held Need of America Roosevelt Stand, Bid for Such Market, Draws Praise. BY DAVID LAWRENCE. HE whole course of human I events in the next decade may be shaped by the new turn in American foreign policy which President Roosevelt has 50 courageous- 1y expressed by his words and his action in the last 48 hours. The objective is not merely to end bloodshed but to establish once more an economic equilibrium so that re- employment and prosperity may en- sue. For the problem of America is the problem of the other nations as well. Without world trade there can only be curtailed production, more un- employment, insolvency and human isery. The President’s policy is statesman- &hip of transcendent value. Irritations there are without number over his conduct of vari- ous domestic pol- fcies, but just as he was heading for the fork in the road that might mean fis- cal disaster to America, Mr. @ Roosevelt has started in the: only direction that can passibly 5y lead ovr Nation @& to real economic recovery and a sound fiscal position. The crying need of today for Amer- fea is an increased volume of trans- actions—more business, more trade, more production, more employment. The home market, to be sure, has never been cultivated with sufficient intensity, but the foreign market has in the past given American producers many billions of dollars in trade. It can do so again. There are and have always® been two schools of thought on this point. One argues that we should be self- contained. erect high tariff walls to exclude other countries’ goods, and, in short, pursue a policy of economic nationalism. The other urges that we exchange goods on a fair basis with other countries, that we should re- duce tariffs as far as possible, that we make reciprocity treaties to en- courage volume of trade, and that restrictions on gold exchange be grad- ually removed. Such a program is often called enlightened nationalism. Champions Second Course. ‘This correspondent has fox more than 20 years championed the second eourse, believing that the policy of international co-operation as outlined by President Wilson would, if adopted, have saved the world from the catas- trophe of 1929 and that the trans- formation of the German and Italian democracies into dictatorships would thus have been avoided. Cordell Hull, Secretary of State, has contended in season and out of season, when he had the ear of the world, and when he didn't, that economic nationalism leads to war and human confiict. The Republican party made | its major error of the last campaign when it refused to commend the objectives of the Hull policy, and this point was emphasized by the writer before and after the Cleveland con- vention last year. Today Mr. Roosevelt, after being for three years somewhat lukewarm toward the Hull policies, has embraced them whole-heartedly. It was the only course he could take in a world in which democracies were rapidly being fendered less and less able to protect themselves not only againdt | the ravages of war but the ravages of | economic depression growing out of nationalistic policies all over the world. Those who do not believe in the world trade idea and the importance of building volume of business by improving trade relations must accept the alternative policy—domestic regi- mentation, the rationing of what we have within our borders, and an almost arbitrary redistribution of wealth. They can hardly say the New Deal to date has not been a logical corollary of economic nationalism. Not Enough Business. For there isn't enough volume of business within the United States to support an economy in which higher and higher labor costs means higher and higher prices. There isn't enough national income to keep on paying the necessary taxes to maintain relief roles Indefinitely. The United States can produce more food and more manu- factured goods without increasing its acreage or its plant capacity. The Brookings Institution in its significant studies points ort that even in 1929 we never used 100 per cent of our plant capacity. Prices can be kept from soaring only tf production can be increased and a market found for our products. The proposed system of crop control which Mr. Roosevelt wants put into law at the coming session of Congress is a kind of economic nationalism—a contradiction of his international policy—but he will seek to justify it no doubt as a tem- fporary measure until the world econ- omy and world purchasing power can be restored. The criticism which the isolationist will make of the international co- operationist doctrine outlined above s that the rest of the world doesn't have the money to buy our goods, that it is now using substitutes. But the other nations will forego the cheaper substitutes and will buy our products {f their businesses are restored. They need capital as do many of our home Industries, In Kentucky much gold is buried. &t is unused. A portion of it—the profit from devaluation—can form the basis of a proper use of international credit to rid the world of war and dictatorships. Germany accepted Hit- ler only as the alternative to anarchy. Bo did Italy embrace Mussolini. The German and Italian peoples will get their liberties back when famine and unemployment and shortages of goods and credit no longer menace their security. Revolutions and dictator- shipe are the diseases of poverty and mot the phenomena of prosperity. Peace and Stabilization, How is economic improvement re- fated to our new foreign policy? The primary need of the world is peace and _stabilization of trade. They go together. Such added employment as 1s given to the workers in Europe has resulted from armament building. ‘This is unsound. When it ends, there David Lawrence, roussions. America’s duty, together. with Britain and France, i to build danger of world-wide economic “‘T £ THE EVENING STAR, WASHINGTON, D. C, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8 1937. What’s Back of It All Roosevelt Surprises State Department by Early Delivery of His Foreign Policy Address. tions, which followed the President’s Chicago speech, runs the thread of a strange story of events at home, 80 far unrevealed to the public. At first glance it looks like a race between the President and the ing his intentions, trying vainly to catch up. The first surprise to the State Department came when it learned that the speech, planned for a later date, was about to be broadcast. It had but two hours’ notice. As a matter of fact, the Secretary of State saw a copy self with the general content of N which they were familiar. It was ‘fi' privately admitted that the use of T the word “quarantine” was a shock meant. They were sure that Eu- rope would read into it more than he meant—or more than they felt he should mean. Teported, on Wednesday, that the League of Nations delegates had the text of Mr. Roosevelt’s remarks before the department did—six hours before he delivered them. League circles knew what they could expect of America’s attitude Shortly thereafter, the League of Nations Advisory Committee expressed its intentions of invoking the nine-power treaty, of which the United States is a signatory. After the President’s words, it could safely be taken for granted that America would participate. weren't geared up for the pace which Mr. Roosevelt set. Each of Secretary Hull's bronouncements on the subject of policy was stronger than the last and it was planned that Assistant Secretary Sayre, in & speech in New York, would prepare for the final word from the President. | this cannot rob the words of their BY H. R. BAUKHAGE. EHIND the lightning-like developments in America's foreign rela- State Department; President Roosevelt driving ahead full tilt into international action, and the State Department, not fully understand= only & few minutes before the President began to speak. ‘The next was the speech it- < A to some of the diplomats. They weren't sure what Mr. Roosevelt * ok X x The next, and perhaps the most severe, shock came when it was almost before the State Department could definitely formulate such an attitude. There is no question that the State Department has been preparing for definite action in the Far Eastern situation for some time. But they But the President spoke first, and Mr. Sayre's remarks that night were hardly noticed. * k% K Some of those who have been worrying lest the President take us too fast and too far, find some comfort in the State Department's official statement of agreement with the action of the League Assembly in condemn- ing Japan as an invader. They seem to be catching up. This e®atement carefully bracketed the department’s sentiment with the League and followed an earlier “interpretation” by a “high authority,” which explained the President's speech as “support of the League of Nations.” % If we should be committed to action with the signatories of the nine- power pact, we might find ourselves out in front holding the bag alone, since America is pretty much the daddy of that agreement. If we act “in support of the League,” we're just one of the great big family of na- tions. In the former case, the brunt of the job would be on American shoulders, and those shoulders might be clothed with a navy blue Jacket, * ok ¥ % Any ardent New Dealers who are Afé = - worried lest the President’s West- ern trip may result in putting the brakes on his forward drive against his “social and economic enemies” have had their fears put to rest. One thing may be written in the books: The Macaulays will still be fair game and “tax evaders” had better look out. And the President isn't going to pull in his horns because of the cries of “dictator” either. He is going to stick to his “methods” He is going to call for legislation—such as the reorganization of Government— whether his critics say he's after more power or not, i * % % With the international situation at a boil, domestic matters are neglected, but none so neglected, Senator Wagner thinks, as the ques- tion of housing. He didn't like it when his pet project for homes for the poor to replace slums was swallowed up by the Department of the Interior, He doesn't like it because still no head has been appointed for the new hous. ing authority and he doesn't like the one Mr. Ickes would like to appoint. The Senator's candidate is Nathan Strauss, * E X % There may be another solution. ‘The Duke of Windsor will soon be sojourning among us. He is in- terested in housing, (Copyright, 1937.) the foundations of a new peace. And Wwith peace comes trade. The way the United States Govern- ment and the League of Nations are standing together now to save democ- racy in the world is the most hearten- ing development since 1917 when the flower of America’s youth crossed the ocean to help “make the world safe for democracy.” The slogan has often since been spoken with cynicism but New “Air Bicycle.” An “air bicycle” invented by a me- chanic of Zegreb, Yugoslavia, is driven by hand levers and pedals, is said to have reached a height of nearly 1,000 feet and can be made for $175. biting truth. Woodrow Wilson fore- saw the danger to democracy. He threw America's resources into the fray to help save democracy. His ac- tion did save the British, French and American democracies for two decades but it remains now for Pranklin Roose- velt to keep democracy from being destroyed by civil wars and the ag- gression of dictatorship and Fascisy states, The three democracies marched side by side 20 years ago. Today they appear before the ‘world, not with bombs or guns, but with a penetrating policy which boldly brands a major power as an aggressor and which shortly must refuse all economic aid to that same nation in its invasion of a weaker state. The heart of the League covenant, Mr. Wilson used to say, was Article 10 by which the nations of the world were to respect each other's terri- torial integrity and independence. It is still today the heart of world peace. And though we are not rigidly asso- ciated with any league or group of powers, America takes her traditional place as the champion of righteous- ness, ready to apply the deadly sting of its moral force to the nations Which prefer barbarism to humanity. (Copyright, 1937.) UALITY Famous Matches N Philadeiphia Eagles vs, Washington Redskins o 705 - IT'S YOURS just say “CHARGE IT" The coat or dress you want is available for you at Eiseman's without straining your “savings account.” You pick your fav- orite style, pay nothing down. Months to complete payment without any extra interest or carrying charges. Open on ac- count todoy—and enjoy this convenient shopping method. ‘We're famous for matching TROUSERS to your odd coat $9.95 up It's just as thrilling to have an “extra” suit by matching trousers to your odd coat as see- ing an exciting football match. And it’s inex- pensive, too! F Street at Seventh Lai Seleetion of Trousers in Washington Other Coats, $35 to $75.50 F Street at Sethh Tln opinions of the writers on this page are their own, not necessarily The Star’s. Such opinions are presented in The Star’s effort to give all sides of questions of interest to its readers, themsel although such opinions max ves and directly opposed to The Star’s. be contradictory among America Must Decide Must Choose Whether to Wait, Hoping War Tide Will Never Reach Us, or to BY DOROTHY THOMPSON. HE declaration of foreign policy which the President made in Chicago on Tuesday is of an importance which can hardly be overrated. The move was not, I believe, impetuous. It is well known that the President and the State Department have been deeply dis- tressed about the world situation, e and that the President himself has felt that the United States should take a stand. The tim- ing of the speech would also indi- cate that the President wanted to speak at an effective moment. His words were uttered while the League was still considering means of invoking the mnine-power treaty, which bears the signature of the world’s leading nations, including Japan, and pledges them to preserve the integrity of China. They were also spoken while Bruno Mussolini, son of the Duce, was arriving in Spain Dorothy Thompson. with fresh forces to participate in the | Spanish civil war, and Italy’s answer to the Franco-British note on the withdrawal of all volunteers from Spain was still unanswered. It is known that since the rebuff from Japan some days ago, the State Department has met to consider what ought to be done, and we may take it from the President’s speech, decid=d | to play closely with the League pow- ers. For the President speaks of “con- certed” action—"a concerted effort in opposition to those violations of trea- ties and those ignorings of humane instincts which today are creating a state of international anarchy.” Aligned With League. Mr. Hull's statement, published yes- terday, makes this decision even clearer. It definitely aligns the United States with the viewpoint on Japan expressed in the report of the League's Advisory Committee on the situation in China and the treaty ch- ligations of Japan. The President's speech and the Hull note leave no question that, in so far as the Presi- dent and the State Department are able to commit the American people to a policy, we have been committed to collaborate in the Sino-Japanese trouble with the League, and that this collaboration suggests positive action. What the action may be is not yet indicated. The President used the word “quarantine.” “When an epidemic of physical ~ disease starts,” he said, “the community joins in & quarantine of the patients, in order to protect the health of the community.” Neutrality Act Dead. ‘The idea of “quarantining” war was behind the neutrality act passed by the last Congress. But there is no blinking the fact that what the Presi- dent suggests and what the State De- partment, by its Subsequent action supports, is & quite different kind of quarantine. The neutrality act at- tempts to quarantine war by cutting off supplies from all nations engaged in war, regardless of who is the ag- gressor. that the aggressors be quarantined. il AT THE PEANUT STORE 15th St. N.W, Between Peoples Drug ond Postal Telegraph Open Evenings and Sundays @ifimcms‘ What is now suggested is| Drown Building Levee. The neutrality act was based on a belief in the possibility of American isolation from all conflicts troubling the rest of the world, outside of the Western Hemisphere. The President’s words counsel the end of isolationism, in favor of collaboration in mutual re- sponsiility, with the “90 per cent” ot the peoples of the world who want peace. Technicalities Unimportant. But technicalities are unimportant. The President has broken with the es- sential philosophy back of the neu- trality act. That philosophy was that it is none of our business what hap- pens elsewhere in the world; that it is our whole aim to keep from being embroiled; that the way to do so is to withdraw from all areas where strife is going on; immediately to refuse arms and money to belligerents, and further, to refuse to sell any goods which the President may declare to be essential war materials, except to such nations as can come and get them and pay for them in cash. This column will weep no tears for the demise of the neutrality act; and the point of view behind it. On this question our record is clear. the act, when it was passed, “the great- est Pontius Pilate act in history.” We questioned its morality, and we ques~ tioned its realism. Better to Face Facts. We have said that if the United States really makes up her mind to withdraw from the world, then we should be logical, and do what Japan did in the generations before Perry— make a self-contained, autarchial economy, with all the regimentation that that involves, and start doing it quickly. To continue to be tied to the | world, as we are tied, involves the ac- | ceptance of responsibility for every effort to make that world the kind of place in which we ean continue to exist with a degree of safety. And the acceptance of responsibility involves risk. No Security in World. America has got to decide, not be- tween risk and security—there is no security anywhere in the world today. We have got to decide between risks, whether it is a greater risk to sit by and watch the flood rise, on the gam- ble that it may never reach us—al- though 1t reaches us, visibly, already— or the risk of being drowned, while trying, with others, to build a levee. Yesterday's dykes were, in all con- science, weak enough. They were treaties, conventions, codes of be- havior, diplomatic procedures. They didn't prevent all wars in the past. They did, however, give opportunity for delay, for negotiation. And we know, still, very little about how to bulld the kind of dykes that are needed, nor is there agreement among the engineers. What we ap- proach is only an agreement in will— an agreement amongst what are still the strongest nations on earth that Wwar is no longer allowable. An agree- ment that some means must be found to make it more costly to wage war than not to. For it is not true that The "World This Changing World Uncle Sam, in Flirting Again with League, May Turn Tide Against Dictators. BY CONSTANTINE BROWN. NCLE SAM and the League of Nations are on speaking terms again. 8am's guardian—the Senate—prevented a marriage in 1919 when the League was a pretty debutante. Later, in 1931, there was an incipient flirtation between the two and for & while they seemed to be getting along well. The League was, however, a disappointment. She double-crossed Uncle 8am in a most shameful way. Disgusted, h¢ came back home determined not to pay any attention to the League in the future, Furthermore she was getting old, decrepit and ugly. Now, once more the two are making an attempt to be friendly. The moral virtues of the League appeal to Sam and S8am’s strength appeals to the League. She is quite willing to go through a rejuvenat- ing operation to please the suitor of her younger days. Whether this hand-in-hand promenade will lead the world into the garden of peace or into another war remains to be seen. * o % Although the three dictatorships appear to be unimpressed by America making another forceful appearance on the stage of world affairs, there is no doubt that Mussolini, Hitler and the Tokio general staff are more worried than they want to show the outside world. The controlled press and the semi-official statements of the official spokesmen warn the United States to look out because there might be trouble ahead. The Japanese in particular are bitter about America’s lack of understanding of their civilizing policy. They were so sure the American people were determined to remain neutral regardiess as to what happened in other parts of the world that Mr. Roosevelt's speech and the official designation by the State Department of Japan as an aggressor made the Tokio leaders dizzy. The strong: attitude adopted by the administration will not, in the opinion of the President and the Secretary of State, necessarily lead to war. ©On the contrary, they hope that the present hopeless situation will improve and a general conference where all the thorny problems which have stood in the way of peace since 1920 would be threshed out to everybody's satis- faction. As long as this country was outside the international arena, the mili- tary powers—the nations which have sacrificed everything they have to build up their military forces—could dictate to the other nations which have neglected to do so. But the dictatorships realize that if America decides to take a hand in the international problems, the situation will be radically changed. Either they agree to come with the others to attend a round table conference where their claims will be considered and satisfied in a certain measure on the basis of the existing treaties, or else. * * * * k x % Regardless how strong a force the Italians, the Germans and the Japanese may have, they could be easily coerced by a combination of nations headed by the United States. % It is a fact that today this country has the most powerful navy in the world. Numerically, the British fleet is stronger. But it has to take care of s0 many sections of the Empire that it cannot be concen- trated as a whole as a striking force in one spot. The United States Navy can. The countries which still maintain the democratic form of govern- ment control all the resources of the world. Without engaging in an actual fight, they can close the seas to vessels flying the flag of the dicta- torships and force them into sub- mission by merely blockading them. * % x x The Duke of Windsor is sore at the British government, ‘When he abdicated he made it clear that he wished to go into dignified retirement and promised to cause no embarrassment to the new King and his government. He wanted to be left alone. The Duke kept his word. But the others did not. In recent months, after his marriage, he has been subjected to rebukes from people in high places. Hurtful stories have been circulated about him and there has been no endeavor on the part of the government to check them. It 18 consequently not surprising that he may want to settle in this country as a private citizen. The Duke realizes that he will be n the limelight in the United States during the first weeks of his visit, but hopes that people will pay less atten- tion to him after he has been here for a certain length of time. no nation wants to go to war. It is| whelming show of force, or because true that no nation wants to under- |it will be cut off, immediately, from take a war which it is certain to lose, | necessary supplies. either because it will face an ove (Copyrig Series" in New York and EISEMAN’S FALL SUITS IN WASHINGTON You put money “on the line” to see a “World Series” game, but at Eiseman’s you pick your winner in a fall suit and merely say, “Charge it.” It's really a treat to own an Eiseman suit, knowing that it will stand a barrage of hard wear, that its good-looking appear- ance will bring applause from your feminine fans, AND that you may pay for it out of your income without disturbing your “savings account.” *30 NO MONEY DOWN—PAY $750 A MONTH No Interest or Carrying Charges EISEMAN’S F STREET AT SEVENTH Headline Folk and What They Do Stimson Again Opens Fire on International Lawlessness. 14 BY LEMUEL F. PARTON. ENRY L STIMSON was 70 < years old September 21. If we were like Japan, we would install our elder statesmen on high Tor or Mount Shasta and from time to time plumb their sea« soned minds for wisdom. Mr. Stime son wasn't so installed or plumbed, but a look back over the files for the last four years shows him always on a mountain top, ding-donging a stern, puritanical warning against “moral anarchy” among the nations. His current blast against “passive and shameful acquiesence in the wrong that is being done” in the Far East is one more installment of Mr. Stimson's serial indictment of international law= lessness. At Geneva, Wwhen Japan first began reaching out for Manchu- kuo, he made a desperate but fue tile effort to mo= bilize opposition He saw trouble ahead. Now, without rubbing in, he notes that it is here, and once more appeals for “an act of leadership which will result in a new birth of American courage” He isn't out for war. But he thinks bold co-operative action by peaceful powers is about the only thing that will prevent it His public statement was written a day or two before the Presidents speech. He is a good soldier, stubbornly faithe ful to an idea or a mandate. This trait helped start him on his steadily ascendant career in public life It was a cold February day in Wash« ington in 1803. Henry L. Stimsen, a sergeant in the silk-stocking squad- ron A of the New York National Guard, was riding in Rock Creek Park, Hs heard a hail from across a brawl- ing stream—“Come on over.” The call came from Secretary of War Elihu Root. With him was President Theo dore Rooseveit. Then T. R. called: “Sergt. Stimson, the President of the United States, through his Secre- tary of War, orders you to report at once.” Sergt. Stimson saluted and plunged his horse into the torrent. Wet and shivering, he lurched through, made dry ground and saluted. “Delighted!” shrilled T. R. think you'd be such a fool.” 8o the President made him United States attorney at New York. He was Secretary of War in Taft's cable | net and Secretary of State in Hoover's, Background: De luxe; Phillips-An« dover, Yale, Harvard Law School, Un- ion League Club, Oliver Cromwell, the Long Parliament and John Knox. | General specifications: Austere and absteminous. (Copsright, 1937.) QUALITY Henry L. Stimson. “Ididn't C @) R N H R