NOT SCARING PUBLIC

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 76, 4 August 1941, Page 2

NOT SCARING PUBLIC

ROOSEVELT S SAXE LEADERSHIP AMERICANS WILL FOLLOW Washington, July 13. Americans are fully prepared to follow President Roosevelt farther along the path to “belligerent participation/’ provided the President does not scare them by using the horrid word “war.” This emerges clearly from public reaction to occupation of Iceland, reports of establishment of a Northern Ireland base, and increased fleet activity in the Atlantic. Official Washington did not expect serious opposition to the decisive action of the week in Iceland, but was astonished by complete absence of opposition. Even the muddled isolationist forces, who are being skilfully manoeuvred into finger-chewing impotence by the Rooseveltian strategy, were caught on the wrong foot and could only 7 mumble that it had “better be for defensive purpose only or else.” Many Americans, I believe, were not free of some mild chauvinistic satisfaction at the extension of American national authority. There may be more of the old Teddy Ro ‘sevelt bellicose spirit stirring under surface than was suspected. USED “STALKING HORSES” Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s policy has been to increase slowly, but remorselessly and ceaselessly, active U.S. aid to Britain. He has adopted the tactic of putting up “stalking horses” like Mr Wendell Willkie, redfaced Naval Secretary Knox, and fiery Senator Claud Pepper to demand spectacular action. on which public opinion can be expected to be divided. In this way he has personally kept clear of most of the brawling over these extreme proposals, such as “Invade Dakar”; “Seize the Azores”; “Shoot to Sink”; “Declare War.” He has preserved the authority of • sane, moderate leader, who is leading but is not too far ahead of publicopinion. And public opinion, in the meantime, is being “softened up” by arguments in which the President is not personally involved. Another significant point is that each step in Mr Roosevelt's programme of aid for Britain has been announcement of an action already taken —never a request for approval for impending action. Congress has always been presented with a fait accompli These moves have been so skilfully planned and announcements so well timed that even serious rcsentmet—much less opposition—has been avoided. This “act first—talk afterwards” policy, it can be emphatically stated, will continue CLARIFYING THOUGHT It is also apparent Iceland is helping tremendously to clarify American confusion of thought on the unpleasant question, “How far are we in the war now? How far do we went to go? How far should we go?” When I arrived here nearly three months ago I ound very few- Americans who had honestly asked themselves that question. They shied away from the idea of war. They did not want to go to war. They will still tell you they don’t want to go to war. But in the same breath they will approve continued aid to Britain on a scale which ultimately must result in war. You find that attitude of mind in its most extreme form among miscalled “isolationists” of the Middle West, who seem to think that if they don't talk about war it will go away. But occupation of Iceland and extension of American fleet activity in the Atlantic —which has served to make convoying almost an academic question —and now 7 talk of bases in Northern Ireland and Scotland, are all tending to make the average American tace up to the question; “How far should we go into this war?” And the average American, being essentially a very honest, earnest fellow, I don’t feel any qualms about what his answer will eventually wil be. Meanwhile. I repeat. Mr Roosevelt must avoid frightening a favourable public opinion by indiscreet use of the word “war. America is getting into a cold bath by inching down rather than plunging