AMERICA AND WAR

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20775, 8 April 1939, Page 4

AMERICA AND WAR

ECONOMIC SANCTIONS THE QUESTION OF NEUTRALITY VOICE AGAINST BRUTALITY (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) WASHINGTON, April 6 The former economic adviser to the American Peace Commission, Mr Bernard Baruch, told the Foreign Relations Committee of the Senate to-day that the use of economic sanctions against aggressor nations would lead the United States into war. ‘ “ If our economic war fails,” he said, “we shall he in military war. if we make economic war that conclusion is inevitable. 11 I am not sure that, even with the utmost pressure, we could prevent a European war if it were determined upon by aggressors.” Neutrality Proposals Referring to various neutrality proposals such as placing a strict emmargo upon the sale of arms and munitions, and other commodities unless foreign nations sent their ships to transport the goods, Mr Baruch said: “ We might be abandoning much of our shipping trade, even all of it, for nothing. Would it not serve all our purposes in such cases not absolutely to prohibit these shipments, but to serve notice on our people and the world that the American flag will not protect them. “ I also question the theory that we must take part in a European war. I am not a military expert, but I do happen to have had some experience with many nations in the World War, and I venture to believe that this country, and this hemisphere, can escape being involved in a European conflict. “ We can do this without burying our heads in the sand. We can still raise our voice against faithlessness and brutality. “ The barriers protecting the United States against invasion are still formidable in spite of the advances made with military and naval weapons for aggression. If we believe we can defend this hemisphere, then the whole argument for now waging an economic war weakens.” SPECIAL RESERVE FORCE (United Press Assn.— dec. Tel. Copyright) WASHINGTON, April 6 The United States War Department has launched a campaign to raise a special reserve force of 75,000, composed of regular Army men under the age of 36 years.