America's Neutrality The news that an American firm has accepted
and is executing an order for the export of a number of aero- planes to Spain has caused considerable disturbance of mind at Washington over the neutrality policy of the United States. At present the President is required by " mandatory " legislation, which gives him no freedom of choice, to prohibit the exports of munitions of all kinds to bore belligerents in the case of an international war. But the legislation does not cover the case of civil war and the Government has no power to veto this particular aeroplane transaction. It may appear sur- prising that more has not been heard before this of the export of munitions from the United States to Spain, but the explanation appears to be that the State Department, though devoid of legal powers, has so far succeeded in persuading American exporters to leave Spain alone even at some sacrifice to themselves. Now the issue has to be faced, and Congress, which meets next week, will no doubt rush through legislation covering the Spanish conflict. Even so the definition of civil war, as distinct for example from civil disorders, will be no easy task, and the wisdom of leaving the President some discretionary power may be recognised after all. That ques- tion will be more important when the existing neutrality legislation comes to an end and has to be- renewed.
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