The Grey River Argus TUESDAY, August 20, 1940. AMERICA’S SUPPORT.

Grey River Argus, 20 August 1940, Page 4

The Grey River Argus TUESDAY, August 20, 1940. AMERICA’S SUPPORT.

Greatly though this Great War 1 has differed in its course in Europe from the last Great War, the position, or rather the attitude, of the United States, bears now a fairly close resemblance to that in which it stood at the crisis of the previous European War. The great majority of Americans evidently are as disinclined to contemplate taking a direct part in hostilities as they have been at any time during the past year. So much may be inferred from the statements of public men belonging Io the two main political groups, whose eyes meantime are directed to the voting in October in the Congressional and Presidential elections. Mr. Wendell Willkie, Republican candidate, for instance, finds fault with President Roosevelt for too directly meddling in the European sphere, stating that much of this has been done without the people being taken into his confidence. Yet 3h. Willkie is almost as definite as the President in his adhesion to 'the policy of supporting Britain with armaments and other supplies. It can be inferred that the successful campaign of the British Air Force has greath' been facilitated by supplies oi American aircraft. In fact, il would not be going too. far to say that Die United States is gradually being committed morally to Britain’s support in a manner that spells more active backing if and when it later may be deemed imperative. In the time of President Wilson the public were prepared for entry into the war by declarations of public men not essentially different from declarations being made at the present time. In British countries, there is anxiety meantime as to the delay in defining more clearly such increase of support as America will accord Britain. No doubt, this support first and foremost must be in aircraft, and of the 900 or more machines per month being turned out, a proportion is for America’s own defence. Nevertheless, there now is a growing disposition to regard Ihe air and naval forces of the two countries as complementary. Probably the United States diplo mat, 31 rj Bullitt, has just expressed Presidential ideas in saying that, the British fleet is one of the United States lines of defence. He endorses the proposal to transfer American destroyers to Britain, stating immediate action is necessary. 3lr. Bullitt, as a diplomat, suggests the inference that he fears Germany may otherwise prevail in her present offensive, whereas his real object may be a ■ tie-up rendering it a certainty, that as soon as the Congressionali issue has been decided, Germany j will find herself once more at warj with America. At this distance’ it does not appear that Americaj stands in the same danger as Mr. Bullitt and others have indicated. As against that view of course, there is the agreement just con-’ eluded between the United States and Canada for a Joint Defence Board, stated to be permanent i: | character. It is specifically for

the defence of North America, both in the Atlantic and in the Pacific, making it appear that regard is had to a possibility of attack on either side. Another view of this extension of the Monroe Doctrine, however, which the situation existing would prompt is that, it would obviously faciltate United States cooperation in the event of a. decision actively to oppose Germany. There plainly is a great rearmament policy being hastened in the United States, which stands where Britain stood when she began rearmament, and has yet to recruit soldiers on any appreciable scale. Probably very many Americans are favourable to the maximum degree of diplomatic as well as armament support for Britain, short of actual war involvement, but programmes and congressional measures which require years to give them effect are a doubtful form of assistance at the present crucial moment. While enormous recruitment, and enormous output of aircraft and munitions are talked about, they alike remain to be turned into realities. The most that yet can be hoped is that the trend of public, sentiment is being definitely directed toward active support for Britain. That appears to be the only thing which can be read “between the lines” of statements like those of Mr. Bullitt, General Pershing, and Naval officers. This in itself is somewhat reassuring, for if it be assumed that American leaders mean to see Britain is victorious, it also may be judged that they count upon Britain holding the fort until the United States is definitely able to tip the scale finally against Germany.