The Southland Times. THURSDAY, MAY 29, 1941. Emergency Powers in America

Southland Times, Issue 24447, 29 May 1941, Page 4

The Southland Times. THURSDAY, MAY 29, 1941. Emergency Powers in America

BY proclaiming a state of “unlimited national emergency” President Roosevelt has cut through many of the difficulties which were impeding the American defence programme. The nature of these difficulties was indicated in the key passages of an important speech. Labour disputes, strikes and lockouts have interrupted the reorganization of industry on a war basis: emergency powers will allow the Government to enforce a prompt utilization of the machinery for collective bargaining. Quislings and Fifth Columnists can be removed to safe places with fewer chances of legal procrastination. In the battle of the Atlantic the functions of the naval patrol will be extended to meet any threat of interference; and steps will be taken to prevent the Germans from occupying territories in the western hemisphere. Under the terms of the Constitution the President is not empowered to declare war: that authority is vested in Congress. But declarations of war have become old-fashioned. From a strictly realistic point of view the United States is already involved in the struggle between the democracies and the dictatorships. Americans understand this; they also realize that the indeterminate status of non-belligerency is really a pause in the movement from neutrality to armed participation. Many of them, including influential groups, believe that the pause should be prolonged indefinitely. To these people Mr Roosevelt presented the hard facts of the world situation. In modern warfare defence does not necessarily mean a readiness to fight only when the enemy is in the “front garden.” “Our Bunker s Hill, said the President, “may be several thousand miles from Boston. The obvious implications of this statement, and of others linked to it, are that America must be prepared to forestall the Nazis by occupying French islands in the Caribbean, or even to take preventive action at the West African base of Dakar. Although there may be protests from minorities, it seems certain that the firmer policy will be supported by public opinion. Mr Roosevelt would not have issued the proclamation unless he had been sure of Congressional and public approval. Within constitutional limits he can invoke and use large powers, and the tone of his speech showed that he is ready to abandon halfmeasures. It will be surprising if words are not followed by deeds. American statesmen know that it is dangerous to advertise their plans in foreign policy unless the plans are already being implemented. The Nazis act first and talk afterwards. Mr Roosevelt’s broad hints about Martinique and Greenland encourage the belief that positive action is already being taken. Laval s broadcast to the United States, which included pointed references to French possessions in the West Indies, showed that his German masters held the same opinion. Further announcements will be awaited with interest.