U.S. NEUTRALITY ACT

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23448, 1 October 1941, Page 7

U.S. NEUTRALITY ACT

CAMPAIGN BEGINS FOR REVISION CONFERENCE AT WHITE HOUSE (Received September 30, 9 p.m.) (U.P.A.) WASHINGTON, Sept. 29. _ Mr Roosevelt has summoned the United States Secretary of State (Mr Cordell Hull) to a special conference at the White House to-morrow to draw up final plans for the revision of the Neutrality Act. Mr Roosevelt’s conference with Congressional leaders has been postponed until Wednesday. Launching the Administration’s campaign for the revision of the Neutrality Act, Mr Tom Connally. chairman of the United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee, in a broadcast address, urged the removal of the ban on arming merchantmen and enabling them to voyage to the combat zones. “The establishment of combat zones from which our ships are barred has failed,” he said. “Hitler recognises no zones. He sinks our ships wherever they may be. He defies us and murders our citizens. For lend-lease aid to be effective, it requires that cargoes be delivered.” , Mr Cordell Hull told a press conference to-day that he favoured modification rather than repeal of the Neutrality Act. He thought the time was ripe for the lifting of some of the restrictions the act imposed, the most important of which was the clause preventing the arming of merchant vesscls The Neutrality Act not only forbids the arming of merchantmen, but also bans the entry, of such vessels into combat zones as fixed by the President. Informed circles believe that a modification empowering the arming of merchantmen is practically assured. It is thought that modification of the act may be more easily obtainable than complete repeal. The Secretary of the United States Navy (Colonel Frank Knox) told journalists to-day: “If Americans do not realise the necessity for having dominant sea power they are dumber than I think they are.” OXFORD GROUP “MAY BE A DANGER TO THE STATE” , MR A. P. HERBERT’S CHARGE LONDON, September 29. Mr A. P. Herbert, M.P., has sent the Minister for Labour and National Service (Mr Ernest Bevin) a secret document about the Oxford Group. In his letter to Mr Bevin, Mr Herbert said: “1 believe that Dr. Frank Buchman, leader of the group, is not a true friend of Britain. The document is not the only ground for this belief. If I am right, a widespread organisation in Britain under his influence and perhaps orders may, in circumstances which are not difficult to imagine, be a danger to the State. ,• “The peace move blessed by Dr. Buchman, spread in perfect good faith by numerous popular followers, might have a deadly effect. I do not suggest that they are not true patriots, but that the more innocent they the more dangerous they may be. Referring to Mr Bevm’s refusal to exempt the Oxford Group evangelists from military service, Mr Herbert states: “Until the members of the group disown Dr. Buchman they deferve and should receive no special consideration from the State, ACTIVITIES IN WAR TIME STATEMENT ISSUED IN WELLINGTON (PA.) WELLINGTON, Sept. 30. Wellington headquarters of the Oxford Group Movement to-night issued a statement on the_ war-time activities of the group in Britain. . The statement says that since the outbreak of war the activities of the Oxford Group have been directed towards the building up of national morale. For many years the group cooperated with national local leaders to train a force of panic-proof, fear-free, citizens. War conditions have increased this co-operation, and the demand for it. For example, a recent report from London said that in the last pme months 250 civic and other authorities have been assisted by the groups whole-time workers in their campaigns for strengthening morale. Evidence showed that this work increased keenness and efficiency in industry, thereby leading to greater output, developed unity helped to eliminate uneconomic competition, and countered subversive influences. „ The statement adds that in addition to. many thousands of Oxford Group supporters who are in the armed forces more than 250 of the’most experienced whole and part-time group workers are now serving in the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Thirty-two whole-time workers were left to carry on; the group organisation throughout Britain, their ages ranging from 25 to 60. All these had been whole-time evangelistic workers since before the war started, and many of them received full theological training for ordination. SCIENCE AND NEEDS OF HUMANITY SIGNIFICANCE OF LONDON CONFERENCE (8.0. W.) RUGBY, September 29. Newspaper comment on the significance of the conference in London of international scientists under the auspices of the British Association points out that not only is it evidence that free scientific discussion is still possible - between men of many nations on vital human problems, but also that it has revealed beyond a shadow of doubt the close relationship between science and everyday life. The scientist working for love of truth in monastic seclusion is a traditional picture which must be modified to the needs of humanity. At the same time, the ordinary man must look upon the scientist as a friend and guide, and not as an aloof worker on -abstract problems in incomprehensible terms. “The Times” says: “Science to fulfil its human mission will have to concern itself in future as much with the consumer as the producer. This implies to some extent a reversal of past attitudes, but the whole conception of the needs and wants of the consumer as a starting point of the programme of reconstruction owes much to those who in recent years have worked out, especially in the 'field of nutrition, standards recognised as a necessary minimum for human well-being, and have shown how far existing, standards, even in advanced countries, fail bS “fhe ßecognition o£ SU ch standards was rightly described hr Mr Herbert Morrison as a ‘new social and Poetical factor of first importance. It has aroused the social consciences of all classes, and has established a principle accepted by all parties as an obligation overriding selfish or sectional interests.” , ... “The Times” adds a warning that science can be made to serve evil ends as well as good, and that the ultima,e SS'ol'tS ‘