U.S. NEUTRALITY ACT

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23444, 26 September 1941, Page 7

U.S. NEUTRALITY ACT

Suggested Repeal Of Measure EARLY DECISION EXPECTED (Receive 4 September 25, 11 p.m.) (U.P.A.) LONDON. September 25. Mr Stephen Early, Mr Roosevelt’s secretary, said to-day that a decision on the suggestion ■ that the United States Neutrality Act should be repealed may be expected next week. After Mr Early had made his statement, the isolationist, Senator R. A. Taft, declared that the repeal of the act would be equal to a declaration of war. The chairman of the United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee (Mr Tom Connally) announced that he was ready to sponsor an amendment of the Neutrality Act without a formal request from the President. He added that the act was based on the illusion that the Nazis would not sink American ships if they stayed outside the combat zones. The "New York Herald Tribune” says that isolationists in the United States Senate admit that they could probably muster only 35 to 40 votes, opposing the repeal of the United States Neutrality Act. Senators opposed to the Administration’s foreign policy are to meet next week.

OCCUPATION OF AIRPORTS

AIR FORCE OFFICERS ARRESTED MEASURES TAKEN IN ARGENTINA BUENOS AIRES, September 24. Troops occupied all military airports in the Argentine to-day after arresting a number of aviation officers in swift moves, apparently inspired by fear of surprising the Government. An order keeping all military aeroplanes on the ground until Saturday has been applied, also new control measures to wipe out all vestiges of a plot under which a number of high aviation officers apparently sought to assume power by the seizure of military aerodromes. The correspondent of the Associated Press of America states that official quarters declined to comment, but reliable sources linked the action with a Congressional investigation of Nazi activities. , . ... Senator R. Taborda, chairman of the inquiry committee, said that those arrested included some who had been plotting to squash the investigation. Senor E. Tessaire, a Radical deputy, caused a furore in the Chamber of Deputies last night by alleging that the Acting-President (Dr. Ramon Castillo) had joined in totalitarian plotDr. Castillo earlier denied rumours of unrest in the interior. The military developments came as the Government was considering a resolution for the expulsion of alleged ring-leaders of Nazi activities, including the German Ambassador (Herr von Thermann). . . „ Replying to questions as to whether the Argentine had occupied all military airports as a precaution against an uprising against the Government, the United States Secretary of State (Mr Cordell Hull) said that the Argentine had not made any request to the United States pursuant to the agreement under which all American rations are pledged to co-operate in combating subversive activities.

HEIGHT-FINDER FOR U.S. ARMY

EQUIPMENT FOR ANTIAIRCRAFT GUNS PORTABLE AERODROMES ORDERED ROCHESTER (New York), Sept. 24. The United States Army received to-day its first stereoscopic heightfinder for anti-aircraft guns. Built by Eastman Kodak, it cost 20.000 dollars, and is 10 months ahead of schedule. General Boatwright commander of the Frankfors Arsenal, described the height-finder as the most difficult military optical instrument made. The army has ordered portable aerodromes, which will enable aeropianes to take off and land on swampy, rocky, or snow-covered ground. Experiments are being made with two types of moveable steel runways, which can be transported on lorries or railway cars. One type consists of steel mats which, when locked together, form a smooth, carpet over boggy ground. This type has proved strong enough to support 30-ton Flying Fortress bombers. A second type is of strong wire mesh which can be transported in rolls. Mr William Sebold, of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, who was a witness at the trial of 16 alleged Nazi spies, testified in New York to-day that Herman Lang, a former draughtsman and final inspector for Norden, Inc., frequently gave witness information about the Norden bomb-sight and asked him to forward it to Germany. Mr Sebold testified that Lang told him that Goering considered the United States secret Norden bomb-sight the most Important military object in the history of the world.

PRISONERS TO BE EXCHANGED

DIPLOMATS TO BE RELEASED BRITAIN AND GERMANY REACH AGREEMENT (8.0. W.) RUGBY, September 24. Britain and Germany have agreed to exchange an equal number of British and German diplomatic and consular officials and their families, who have been held prisoner for- more than a year. It is hoped that the exchange will be completed in the course of the next few days. Each party consists of 12 persons. Among the British officials is Sir Lancelot Oliphant, formerly ■ British Ambassador in Brussels and Minister to Luxemburg, and among the Germans is Herr von Gerlach, formerly Consul-General in Iceland. The British party will be delivered to the Spanish Government at the Pranco-Spanish frontier, and the German party to' the Portuguese Government at Lisbon. Portugal and. Spain will act as trustees, and each will release its party when it has been informed by the other of the delivery of the opposite party. The exchange is only the first instalment, and negotiations are proceeding for the release of the remainder of the officials by both sides.