A principle of great value in the preservation of the peace of the world has been enunciated by the United States Government by its refusal to supply helium to Germany for Zeppelins because the United States Government has not been able to obtain a concrete assurance that the helium sent from the United States to Germany will not be used for military purposes. If other countries applied the same principle to exports of raw materials which are used in the manufacture of munitions of war, there would be a tangible improvement in the prospects of peace. Similarly in the case of loans, if the lenders imposed a condition that the money given would not be employed by the borrowers in forging fetters for peace, the risks of war would be appreciably reduced even if they were not completely eliminated. The decision of the United States Government not to export helium to Germany until definite assurances are forthcoming that the helium so obtained by Germany will not be used for military purposes is in harmony with a movement which has gained great momentum during the past few months in the United States to make the way of the war-maker hard. Large labour organisations in the United States connected with shipping have effectively prevented shipments of scrap iron and other metals to Japan. To supply the sinews of war to countries deliberately preparing for war and then to shed tears when these countries have provoked war is undoubtedly senseless.
Civil & Military Gazette, Lahore, British India (Pakistan), March 27, 1938
