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Show Looking at W usliington . THINK U. S. IS DIVIDED JAPANESE THREAT I KANCE JOINS NAZIS U. S. INTERESTS IIL'IX SPEAKS OUT SPAIN IS A PROBLEM AFFECTS SOUTH AMERICA There seems to be no reason to disbelieve reports from abroad that news of strikes in this country, together to-gether with reports of speeches made by former President Hoover, Colonel Lindbergh, and prominent isolationists, have produced an impression im-pression that the United States is seriously divided and that the government gov-ernment is unable to function effectively ef-fectively in the presence of world disorder. Dispatches from Europe make it clear that the Vichy government gov-ernment of France was undoubtedly undoubted-ly influenced by its impression that the United States was virtually impotent, im-potent, and Tokyo newspapers stress labor troubles In this country. coun-try. It Is unfortunate that activities permitted in this country, because we continue to be a democratic people, are misinterpreted abroad. This is one of the penalties of democracy. dem-ocracy. It will be more than unfortunate, un-fortunate, however, if the Japanese, Japan-ese, for example, initiate aggressive aggres-sive action in the Far East under the delusion that the United States is incapable of securing national unity to promote effective action. proper time, Spain should assume the leadership of her people in South America. While we pass the information along for what it is worth, the presumption is that the state department and American officials of-ficials are cognizant of the situation situa-tion and, being forewarned, will be able to handle any developments. tries, would be dangerous if occupied occu-pied by the Nazis as a war base. The Portuguese Azores, strategic islands close to Europe, could become be-come a perilous threat to the safety safe-ty of shipping in the North Atlantic. At-lantic. The French insist, and it is reported re-ported that Marshal Petain has given assurances to Ambassador Leahy that African territory will not be used as Axis bases for any sort against Britain or the United States. These assurances, however, fail to carry conviction, in view of the fact that the Germans have been permitted to use Syria. The Vichy government, helpless under German pressure, might yield these important areas in the future and thus permit Germany with her great aerial strength to break through the blockade and take the offensive, or at least threaten the vital interests of the United States. The seriousness of the diplomatic situation which exists between this country and France is seen in the conferences Secretary Hull and Gaston Henri-Haye, the French ambassador, who objects to an "explosion of emotions" in this country over the "collaboration" of France with Germany. The French ambassador objected object-ed to the unfriendly act . of this country in taking French merchant ships into protective custody and advised reporters of France's determination de-termination to protect her possessions posses-sions "wherever they may be" from any change of sovereignty. He indicated in-dicated strong opposition to . any attempt to place French colonies in the Western Hemisphere under the "provisional administration" of Most observers report that Japan Ja-pan is extremely anxious to avoid hostilities with the United States. This does not mean that the Tokyo statesmen will not take risks in order to feel out the United States and thus secure all possible concessions con-cessions without hostilities. Some newspapers in Tokyo declare the entry of the United States into the European war will implement decisions de-cisions already reached by the Japanese government and one insists in-sists that if this country adopts a convoy system, "it will' have to take Into account the vigilance of the Japanese navy." The rapprochement.which is evident evi-dent between France and Nazi Germany Ger-many raises an interesting question ques-tion in the United States where this country must decide what steps it should take to prevent Hitler, through domination and control of the Vichy government, from acquiring bases for possible use against the Western Hemisphere. Hemi-sphere. French possessions close to the Americas include, the islands of St. Pierre and Michelon, near Newfoundland, New-foundland, and Martinique in the Caribbean. In addition, French Guiana in South America is a problem. prob-lem. Dakar, on the west coast of . Africa, because of its close proximity prox-imity to South American coun- the twenty-one American republics. repub-lics. It may be taken for granted, we think, that the United States will not follow French assurances without question and that this government will closely scrutinize every move that France makes in cooperation with Germany. Secretary Secre-tary Hull expresses the conviction that pro-Hitler elements are in control of the Vichy government and says that France has gone beyond be-yond the armistice terms in extending extend-ing aid to Germany. The first step in the transformation of France from a democratic nation to an ally of Germany has been taken in Syria and similar steps in other areas are expected, regardless of all explanations that have come from France. The Marquis de Azuiar, who says that he represents the Spanish Span-ish Catholic and Royalist parties in the United States, asserts that Germany now has representation in every Spanish consulate and legation le-gation in the Americas for the purpose pur-pose of combatting Pan-Americanism. The Marquis recently told news men in Washington that under un-der a pact signed by Hitler and Franco on October 8, 1938, four ships sailed from Spain with munitions muni-tions for Latin-American destinations, destina-tions, possibly Mexico and Chile. Also sent to Latin-America, he says, were 8,000 Falangistas, presumably pre-sumably to help lead any uprising for which the four shiploads of arms were intended. The Marquis insists that the great majority of Spaniards are for the democracies and says that when Spain joins the Axis and breaks diplomatic relations with the United States, "I want to make sure the democratic Spaniards are not placed in the same position as the Totalitarians." According to his statement, Hitler has been given the right to direct Spain's national and international policies since 1938 and Germany has moved twelve divisions into Spain, ready to act in Morocco at the auspicious time. While we have no way of knowing know-ing whether the statements made by the Marquis are correct or not, it is quite possible that Hitler is using Spain as a front to promote Nazi activities in this hemisphere. The Falangistas have been active in Spain, where the party occupies a position of considerable power. The ancient relationship between Spain and her colonies in this hemisphere hemi-sphere has been recalled and there have been suggestions that, at the |