WASHINGTON’S ALOOF ACTION

Northern Advocate, 9 March 1936, Page 5

WASHINGTON’S ALOOF ACTION

“COMMENT BY AMERICAN PRESS I (United Press Associatlon.-By Electric Telegra.vih.-~- -Copyrights (Received'lo a.m.) NEW YORK, March 7.

While the Press of the country is featuring at great length the pews of the march on the Rhine, the complete text of Herr declaration, and the comments from various capitals, American officialdom at Washington has, in the words of the “New York Times” correspondent, “hastily assumed the attitude of aloof observers.”

The German Ambassador, Dr. Haps Luther, called a conference of newspaper correspondents, and , reiterated the reasons given by the Chancellor for the abrogation of the Versailles and Locarno Treaties and expressed the opinion that the steps “will benefit the United States.”

The State Department’s only comment was that the Rhine question did not arise in the Treaty of Berlin, which was the only instrument to which the United States was committed, as it was not a signatory to the Treaty of Versailles. Italy To Benefit. *

The “New York Herald-Tribune’s” Washington correspondent states that informally there is a general* agreement among Washington observers that Italy is likely to be a beneficiary from the situation. The diversion created by Herr Hfitler is regarded as likely to put an end to the proposals to apply further sanctions to Italy.

As concerns the possible effect on the Franco-Soviet Pact, the correspondent indicates that a difference of opinion exists, some quarters holding that Herr Hitler’s move has now gWen French opinion an opportunity to change its mind before the final ratification, with the possible isolation of' the Soviet, which is considered the primary objective of Herr Hitler’s foreign policy. Other quarters maintain, however, that the action of Germany today guarantees the ratification ofs the Franco-Soviet alliance. German Gamble.

The “New York Tijmes,” in. a leader, says: “Germany has resorted to unilateral action in plain disregard of her existing commitments. Herr Hitler’s action adds to the grave problems with which'The European democracies are confronted.”

The “Herald-Tribune,” in a leader says: “Germany has suddenly cocked a gun, unquestionably capable of blowing Europe into that general war toward which the Continent seemed to be more and more steadily tending. One may gubss that the Germans will again win their gamble as they have at every stage of their long struggle to break out of the bonds imposed upon them in 1918.”