And hardly less important, from America's point of view, is the closure of Consulates and the expulsion of the staffs of the two travel bureaux and the Transocean agency. Proof has long existed that Nazi officials and agents were grossly abusing courtesies and hospitality by engaging in underground subversive activities. Official investigations had disclosed the sinister ramifications of a vast fifth column movement.
The modern counterpart of the Trojan Horse was in full process of being erected and filled. Under the guise of being American, the enemies Of democracy have been seeking to undermine America, to create internal schisms, to perfect a system of sabotage, to use opportunist and unscrupulous elements.
President Roosevelt, in this as in so many other things, chose to bide his time; but he acted with his usual Courage when he knew the time was ripe. His two executive orders this week form part of the pattern of his whole policy of aiding Britain and the democracies through safeguarding the defence and interests of America.
It is the firm resolve of the people Of that country to ensure a British victory, by all means short of a declaration of war. We see week by week the implementation of that resolve. It is a process inescapably progressive. Where so much has already been done we need not fear the future.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.