The attack by a German submarine on the US. destroyer Greer, south of Iceland, has been rapidly followed by the news of two other incidents, namely, the sinking, on August 17, of the Panamanian vessel, Sessa, Jaden with goods destined for the Icelandic Government, and the attack by aeroplane and sinking in the Red sea of the American vessel Steel Seafarer. Both are clearly breaches of international law, for,'though the enemy have declared certain areas as blockade zones, the fact that the blockade has not been rendered anywhere nearly effective, justifies the full Use of all the high seas by neutrals. It seems quite clear that Germany, and Italy are doing their utmost to get the United States into the war in the hope that the material as-Sistance which America is giving the demo-crocies and Russia will be reduced in order that American war needs should be met first. It is only to be expected in the circumstances that other American vessels will also be attacked with the idea that rising casualties might sufficiently inflame opinion in the United States to support immediate entry into the war.
But President Roosevelt will probably not be misled by so transparent a device. Rather is it to be expected that there will be an extension of the American convoy system, as was adumbrated when it was announced that the United States would not hesitate to take whatever steps are necessary to see that the war material which is being manufactured for the democracies shall reach its destinations. There is in all probability a very definite connection between these attacks and the conversations which are proceeding at present between Japan and the United States. Japan is still a member of the Axis,—probably not so enthusiastic a one as when the agreement was first made,—and the possibility of the talks between the two Governments proving fruitful of more friendly relations is something which Hitler and Mussolini must regard with considerable dismay. It is likely, therefore, that these incidents, which undoubtedly will be multiplied, are designed to bring the United States into the war before any settlement of outstanding difficulties between Japan and the United States can be reached That is undoubtedly being done in the hope that Japan woud then stand by her com-mirment actively to join the Axis. The trick is a very transparent one through which the Japanese Government will probably see, and if they do Hitler's chances of assistance from his Far Eastern partner should be considerably reduced. Whether the sinking of the Sessa and the Steel Seafarer will be sufficient to arouse American opinion to support the President in an actual declaration of war against the Axis, remains to be seen. The reaction to the attack on the Greer suggests that much greater provocation will be required and that the United States Government will be more concerned with the broader aspects of the whole international situation than with the irritation which these acts on the part of the aggressor nations is likely to create. The circumstances indicate that resort to U.S. naval escort of American mercantile vessels is the next step rather than a formal declaration of war, and if Washington accepts this view Hitler may be foiled in what are quite clearly his present inten-ions.
That is not to be taken as meaning that in mo circumstances will the United States declare war. A time will come when the rapidly-expanding defence production of the United States will place it in a position to accept all the results of a declaration of war upon the Axis with equanimity, even should Japan be so ill-advised as to intervene. Already the production for war purposes of Great Britain and the United States are being co-ordinated and synchronized, and as the two develop with increasing tempo the danger to anyone seeking to intervene in this war on behalf of the Axis will become all the greater. That needs to be remembered especially in the Far East, where Hitler would dearly like fo get the assistance of Japan in pulling the chestnuts out of the fire of his own kindling. Neither Britain nor the United States fear war in the Pacific, and they will accept any challenge which may be thrown at them. Hitler is seeking by these provocative sinkings to start one, but it is believed that both Washington and Tokyo are too adroit to fall into the trap.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.