OPUNAKE TIMES Speaks for the District. TUES., FEBRUARY 7, 1939. AMERICA AND EUROPE

Opunake Times, 7 February 1939, Page 2

OPUNAKE TIMES Speaks for the District. TUES., FEBRUARY 7, 1939. AMERICA AND EUROPE

The political stir created in the United States by Mr. Roosevelt's approval of the sale of American aeroplanes to I ranee can well be understood. To interpret his action as tantamount to a departure from the, principle of national aloofness, from Europe's politics, particularly in relation to international conflicts, is perfectly natural, if not inevitable. Mr. Roosevelt himself, to be sure, has tried to counter tbe hostile criticism by continuing to insist that the French purchases will help the American aircraft industry to increase its efficiency. His argument is related, quite frankly, to the expectation that Congress will shortly vote a large sum for the construction of military aircraft in accordance with the Presi-

dent’s defence programme; but this, argument is scarcely _ convincing. It invites questioning as to his readiness to approve similar sales to Germany and Italy, and the fact that, actual questioning along these lines has elicited nq positive answer by him suggests that the prevalent interpretation of his decision is well founded. If this, be correct —and no attack on Mr. Hoover’s sensational statements about the possibility of American entry to an impending war can dispose of the impression that it is correct —then Mr, Roosevelt has certainly made a move _ toward abandonment of isolation and neutrality. This belief raises

again the vexed question of the President’s right to direct foreign policy in greater or less disregard of Congress, and on this question another battle may develop. It is important to note, however, that, while criticism of Mi Roosevelt's administrative methods is acute, there is much implied support for the action he has taken. The position should he clarified in a clay or two; in the meantime it is clear that he has made a breach, how serious cannot yet lie. said. in. America traditional policy. The reaction of other nations to this fact can not be negligible.