AMERICAN NOTIONS.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 April 1940, Page 4

AMERICAN NOTIONS.

PROOF appears at times that Americans, with whom we have a great deal in common, also have wavs that are entirely their dwn. An example in. point appeared in a cabled rcpoi'l yesterday of a “forum broadcast’’ in which Iwo member'-; ol the United States Senate supported, and two olhers opposed, resolutions pending in Congress empowering lhe American Government to acquire possession of I’.ril ish. Frenidi and Dutch islands in lhe Caribbean Sea and lhe Allanlic. I’ropo sals of this kind are neither new nor of niiieli pracl iea l ini portanee, but the broadcast debati* of the Senalors derived a touch of novelty from the proposal of one of llteir nnnilxT (Senator Lundeen) to “use force if necessary"’ in acquiring 1 lie islands mentioned.

Imagination boggles al lhe thought ol President Roosevelt. or his successor, oiil-l lit lering I lit l<*r by sending lhe American Fleet Io take possession violeidly ol West Indian and oilier islands should the lawful possessors of these Ici'i'itorics decline Io pari with them for a reasonable eonsideral ion. such as a war debl ipiitlance. Fortnnately there is every reason Io believe that Senator Lundeen, if liis plans of lawless coii<|iic-,l were submitted to a Gallitp poll of his fellow eoiml rymen. would receive the support only of a very insignificant minor jlv. That siieh plans and proposals slionld-be debated solemn Iv bv members of the I'nited Slates Sen,'He is. however, a new illustration of the slrange streak of iiresponsiliilily which runs through Aniericaii public and political life. Citizens of the West Indian and. oilier islands in question are nol likely Io feel that their security is menaced by Senator Lundeen's piratical proposals, but it may he regarded as rather damaging In lhe dignity of the Foiled States Senate llial any of its mem bets should send such foolishness over the air.