PAST BLUFFING

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21244, 15 October 1940, Page 7

PAST BLUFFING

AMERICA AND JAPAN AWAITING ELECTION MR ROOSEVELT’S PLANS (United Pres-s Assn.—Eiec. Tel. Copyright) WASHINGTON, Oct. 12 The United States has moved past the bluffing stage with Japan. President Roosevelt cannot back down if Japan commits any overt act against American interests. Obviously, Japan, staggered by the first show of American force since the Great War. is trying to avoid a crisis—witness the Government’s statement that its agreement with the Axis is a “peace pact.” But how long. Washington wonders. will Japan talk peacefully after the Burma Road is opened on October 17. President Roosevelt’s ultimate intentions toward Japan are locked up behind his bright pre-election smile. Unless Japan breaks the peace they will remain locked there until after election day. That is the reason for confusion in Washington. The Election Tide The President, whatever his final plans, wants to do nothing which would divert the election tide, now apparently carrying him to victory. But, once he is safely elected, his friends expect to see American foreign policy harden. At what point will the United States actually oppose Japan? Nobody knows the answer except the President. However, he has appalled many of his advisers who consider that war with Japan would pay straight into Hitler’s hands. They believe Germany is encouraging a break between the United States and Japan to divert American energies from Europe. Broadly speaking, the army may be said to oppose war with Japan now, while the navy is anxious to take a strong stand. Civilian experts are divided.

Everybody knows that, whatever the Constitution may say, however Congress may reserve the final right to declare war and make peace, the President, once re-elected, can virtually dictate the nation’s foreign policy, and can fight Japan if he wants to. War a Strong Probability Most significant straw in the wind to-day was the statement of an unnamed member of the Cabinet to the Washington Times-Herald that: “The Roosevelt Administration is proceeding on the assumption that war with Japan in the very near future is a Strong probability. “The army and navy,” he added, “are making preparations for war with the utmost speed, and the Government is rushing orders for rubber and tin in British Malaya and the Dutch East Indies. can only be averted if Japan abandons her Greater Asia policy.” And war with Japan would certainly mean war with the Axis.

GRIT AND DARING WHAT AMERICA NEEDS GUNS ARE NOT ENOUGH MR ROOSEVELT’S SPEECH (United Press Assn.—Eire. TeT. CopvrlgTit) NEW YORK. Oct. 13 In a broadcast speech on domestic economics, President Roosevelt said: “Events abroad provide a warning that guns and so on are not sufficient. We need grit, sacrifice and daring. The injunction ‘Love thy neighbour’ animates our faith, which we are. determined shall live and conquer in a world poisoned by hatred and ravaged by war.” Thousands of telegrams have poured into White House congratulating Mr Roosevelt on his soeech last night, in which he defied the dictators. The New York Times comments: “Such evidences of public approval might influence Mr Roosevelt to transfer to Britain the ‘flying fortresses.’ ” High officials of the Administration are reported to be favourably considering a British request for some “flying fortresses.” of which the army has about 50. The final decision will be left to the President.