COMMENT WITHHELD.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 73, 23 February 1938, Page 9

COMMENT WITHHELD.

“MINDING OWN BUSINESS.” ATTITUDE IN AMERICA. NEW ; YORK, Feb. 21. While a dozen high officials in the State Department spent the day reading and evaluating reports of the exciting week-end in London and Berlin, the Secretary of State (Mr Cordell Hull) laid down a no-comment stipulation extending even to the exchange of private opinions between aides and outsiders, states the Washington correspondent of the New York Times. Congress advocates of isolation cited the developments to support the contention that the United States should keep her hands entirely out of European affairs. Senator W. E. Borah is hopeful insofar as the outlook for peace is concerned. He expressed the opinion that Herr Hitler’s demands would not lead to war and that Germany would regain her colonies, to which he believes she is entitled. ' Mr Hull had his usual conference with the Press, but lie was obviously nervous lest even his disinclination to comment on the situation might lead to speculative reports in the Press. He is not yet in a position either to comment or to decline to comment on Herr Hitler’s speech or Mr Eden’s resignation. Thus this is perhaps the only major capital in the world failing to indicate its official reactions. It is evident that the State Department is disturbed, not necessarily because it officially favours either side in tlie struggle for predominance in Europe, but because speeches and actions creating uncertainty abroad are alwavs looked on as potential threats to security in a delicately-balanced political world. WAIT PASSIVELY.

No attempt is being made to evaluate at present the potential effect of Herr Hitler’s speech. There is evident determination to wait passively and observe results.

Concerning Mr Eden’s resignation, it appears to observers tliat the Administration might indirectly have gained a point, calming the criticism and fears of isolationists, led by Senator Johnson. It was to Mr Eden that Senators Johnson and Borah ascribed an expression to the House of Commons implying a British-American understanding. Jt is at present questioned whether this expression is part of a personal programme which Mr Chamberlain repudiated. Isolationists have been further checkmated, since Mr Chamberlain’s courting of friendly contact with Italy and Germany removes much ground for suspicion that Britain was attempting to establish an anti-dictator bloc, consisting of France, Britain, and the United States. The only possible threat at. the moment to American interests concerns the British-American trade treaty. The threat is minimised, however, since the negotiations have been taken over personally by Mr Chamberlain. Plans are expected to go forward unhindered. . Congressional comment is sparse, but those few who did answer questions chorused, “We should mind cur own business.'’