(3 of 3)
The next blow came from a source almost as impressive as State Department or White House. Chairman Key Pittman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee handed out, without preface or elaboration, a concise statement of his view of U. S. foreign relations with totalitarian States. Its text in toto:
"1) The people of the U. S. do not like the Government of Japan.
"2) The people of the U. S. do not like the Government of Germany.
"3) The people of the U. S., in my opinion, are against any form of dictatorial government, Communistic or Fascistic.
"4) The people of the U. S. have the right and power to enforce morality and justice in accordance with peace treaties with us. And they will. Our Government does not have to use military force and will not unless necessary."
Understanding Senator Pittman's words were far too crude for diplomacy. Even from a chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee (who is not expected to be a diplomat) they came perilously close to being a deliberate insult. And there was even a suspicion that they might have been inspired by the White House. In effect, Mr. Ickes having boxed Adolf Hitler's ear, and Mr. Welles having slapped his nose, Mr. Pittman took a roundhouse swing at his jaw.
In the club of nations this was carrying rebuke of a fellow member to the brink of unpleasantness. It appeared, however, to be just blunt enough to make Member Hitler understand. For two days there was silence from officials in Berlin. Then a Propaganda Ministry spokesman announced: "The incident now is closed. We had our say and the American Government had its."
For the first time Adolf Hitler had been treated with the same crudeness he had often used to other nations. At least for the time being the result appeared salubrious.
*A monopoly supply of the world's helium comes from gas wells owned and operated by the U. S. Government. In July helium gas was reported discovered in Brazil. Chances are that if Brazil develops a helium supply, Germany will obtain it there.
*In his youth Esau was wronged by his younger brother Jacob, who became father of the twelve tribes of Israel. Years later the warlike, hirsute Esau (who came from his mother's womb "all over like an hairy garment") terrified Jacob and his followers when he appeared at the ford of the Jabbok with 400 men, but instead of carrying out a pogrom he forgave his brother, embraced him. (Genesis, Chapter 25, et seq.~)
†"Aryan" ignorance, which presumed that, in European fashion, a Minister of Interior has charge of police and the suppression of crime. Mr. Ickes, who looks after public lands, forests, territorial and insular government, etc., has no authority to look into skulduggery such as Coster-Musica's.