The Wanganui Chronicle. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1939. AMERICA AND THE ALLIES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 258, 1 November 1939, Page 6

The Wanganui Chronicle. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1939. AMERICA AND THE ALLIES

yHE new American policy in respect to the selling of munitions of war bears the mark of being a cold-blooded deal. The policy is to secure lhe profits out of the war situation while faking an unmoral attitude concerning the issues at stake in that conflict. There is also a desire to avoid the complications that are incidental to trading with belligerents in wartime. Hence America enters into the war-supplies business, stipulating that its nationals must do so only upon lhe cash-and-carry principle. America's attitude to-day is that she will trade with the belligerents provided they send their ships to America, and pay spot cash for the goods purchased, taking them away from American ports in ships under their own flag. In seas where there are no risks American ships are to be permitted to voyage, but from belligerent areas they are io be excluded by their own Government. This arrangement is, however, a hybrid one: for it maintains the neutrality attitude of America, but at the same time offers to the Allies a full measure of economic support. Taking the facts as they stand, that is to say, because the British Navy has attained to a command of the high seas American supplies are avilable to the Allies. It can be said with confidence that if sentiment in the United States of America had not been favourable to the Allies the repeal of the neutrality law would have been delayed, although it is reasonable to expect that America would have eventually changed her attitude for purely business reasons. The question now to be asked is whether the United Slates will move further in the direction of aiding- the Allies. Such a course will depend to a very marked degree upon the conduct of Germany in its relation to America. The capture of the City of .Elint, and the taking of that vessel to Murmansk has deeply offended American susceptibilities, and what will be the outcome of that incident is not yet Germany’s temper, however, is unlikely to withstand the strain of American help going io the Allies while it is impossible for Germany to secure deliveries from America. Germany will also have to endure the additional annoyance of seeing large quantities of raw materials go from Russia to the United Stales because the latter country will be able to outbid Germany for any materials that both require. while Russia will assuredly prefer the American market because she would be more likely to secure dependable machinery from American factories than from those of Germany, where substitute materials are perforce used all too frequently. This long-continued annoyance to which Germany will be subjected can be depended on to produce the incidents which will harden the heart of America against Germany. It is probable that the increased activity of America on the side of the Allies will have to wait upon the heart-hardening prores, but in the meantime the ability of the Allies 1o draw supplies I rom the I nited States will add greatly to their war strength.