Aj Two interesting reports, one from the Vatican and the other from Washington, suggest that important changes in the policy of the United States with regard to the war may take place in the not too distant future, Reuter reports from the American capital that the group in Congress, which opposes involvement in the war, has lost its solidarity, while the United Press from the Vatican City, dealing with the retirement of Mr. Myron Taylor, President Roosevelt's personal representative there, and his gift to the Holy See of his Florentine villa, suggests that the entry of the United States into the struggle is considered fairly imminent. The report states that should the United States decide upon war it would be necessary to arrange a modus vivendi with the Vatican covering financial exchanges and diplomatic com-.munications. The change which it is rer ported is coming over opinion amongst Con-pressmen is said to have been caused by the Outspoken decision of the American Legion last week, the bad news from Russia, and, finally, the reaction to Col. Lindbergh's recent' speech at Des Moines which has aroused a vigorous revolt in the Middle West.
It will undoubted have been noticed that President Roosevelt has on no occasion since the commencement of the war made any major change in his policy with regard to it until he was certain that he would be supported by public opinion. His instructions to the U.S. Navy to defend all vessels, no matter what nationality in American defensive waters, even to the extent of shooting, if necessary, is the latest example of the manner in which he manages accurately to guage the pinion of the masses, and their acceptance of the development with a minimum of opposition demonstrates the enormous change which has taken place in the United States since the commencement of the war. Two years ago there was a tendency in the United Btates to regard the European struggle w: th something of an academic interest as something which could not possibly affect the western hemisphere. Gradually it was borne home to the American public that the resistance of Britain and her Allies to Nazi and Fascist aggression was in truth a defence of the United States. Hitler's worldwide intentions had become widely and thoroughly understood.
The transition was gradual, but, from the policy of all aid to the democracies short of war, American policy has developed in guch a manner that the defence of the United States has reached a point where decision actually to enter the war is a very small step from the position which has now been reached. The reason is clear. The Government of the United States, with a growing support from the people, has decided that Hitler must never be allowed to win this war.. The realization is being brought home to them that a conquered Europe, an occupied Africa means a direct threat to the South American Republics, and through them a üire menace to the United States. Should Hitler succeed in achieving the world domination he is seeking,—including, it must be remembered Japan, to which end his emissaries are already working,—it would shean the loss to humanity of that freedom for which it has struggled só incessantly throughout the history of mankind. It would shean the disappearance from the world of those principles which the inhabitants of the United States hold so dear, and anything Which suggests success for Hitler in Europe constitutes an ultimate threat to the United ates.
It is to We expected the Lindbergh, and those like him will redouble their efforts in an endeavour to combat the evident rise of public opinion in favour of actual participation in the war. But, as Reuter's Washing-ion correspondent cables. a condition is succeeding a theory, and Congressmen have suspended opposition when it could not alter the course of policy. particularly when that policy has entered the sphere of war. Consequently it will not be at all surprising if the speculations emerging from the Vatican City concerning the arrangement of a modus vivendi between it and the United States is eventually arrived at. Should it be it would be the most proximate fact to the actual entry of the United States into the war, and would be the greatest possible promise of the ultimate defeat of the dictators. That Hitler and Mussolini would regard such a development with dismay may be taken for granted. It is the last thing that either of them wants. Already the enormous resources of the United States are freely placed at the disposal of the Allies, but if to them are ae the manpower of America the ultimate result would be in less doubt than it is at present, and there is not very much doubt even now.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.