AMERICAN VIEW

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19891, 20 March 1939, Page 5

AMERICAN VIEW

ANTI-NAZI TREND TRADE HOPES FADING INCREASE IN TARIFFS AID TO DEMOCRACIES POSSIBLE SEP PETES (Klee. To). Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Mar. 20, 9 a.m.) NEW YORK, Mar. 19. A high official of the State Department at Washington told the correspondent of the British United Press that while the Administration had been considering returning the American Ambassador, Mr. H. R. Wilson, to Berlin as a result of Germany’s recent acceptance of the international refugee plan, in view of Herr Hitler’s invasion of Czechoslovakia, President Roosevelt had decided to keep Mr. Wilson in the United States indefinitely.

The New York Times, in an editorial said: 'lt must be clear to Ger-

many, even in this heady hour of triumph, that easy conquest does not constitute undiluted gain. Germany 1 must reckon with Mr. Chamberlain's rebuke, which is as severe as the condemnation by the United States. "Germany's action scuttles, beyond all possibility of revival, her longcherished hope of a trade agreement with the United States and, in all likelihood, will cause an amendment to the Neutrality Act to assure Britain and France the right of purchase in American markets in time of war of weapons for self-defence." Herr Hitler's inescapable demonstration that he never had any intention of keeping the Munich pact has awakened Americans to the gravity of the European situation and the true nature of the German menace. Neutrality Amendment Senator Pittman, the chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, announced that he was introducing on Monday a motion amending the Neutrality Act to permit the export of arms and munitions to belligerents in wartime on the cash-and-carry basis. "Herr Hitler has confirmed his de ception of Mr. Chamberlain," Mr. Pittman commented, "and has made clear his fanatical ambition to dominate everywhere that conspiracy and military force will permit. It is evident that, in acting for our own defence .in the most serious situation which has ever been faced, we must not delay in preparations for potential political and physical action." The New York Herald-Tribune in a leading article entitled: "Hitler's Poorhouse Grows," says: "Suppose Herr Hitler is able to establish a German empire extending from the North Sea to the Black Sea. Germany may then find herself in much the same position as in the early part of the Great War, when although her frontiers extended as they had not since the Napoleonic era, in the end the economic blockade brought the German resistance to an end. History is repeating itself and the moral seems clear." Duties on Imports Washington reports that the Government took the initial step in carrying out President Roosevelt's warning of other methods short of war in dealing with aggressors by applying countervailing duties on imports from Germany to become effective as from April 22. The new tariff will be 25 per cent in addition to the normal duties. Herr Hitler's venture and Mr. Neville Chamberlain's abrupt change of front have worked a startling reversal of attitude among Americans generally. Where a few last week were indignant concerning the supply of planes to France, they now not only are willing but eager that the United States should assist the democracies and hinder the dictatorships in any manner short of actual war. The latter stipulation remainsAmerica must not abandon her isolationist attitude, insofar as going to war is concerned —but the change of heart is certain to strengthen Mr. Roosevelt's hand in guiding the foreign policy and moreover should immeasurably strengthen the position of the European democracies, which, according to all indications, can at present count on American assistance in every way short of actual physical participation if and when the final showdown with Herr Hitler occurs.