TRYING TO TRAVEL OPPOSITE WAYS

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 113, 6 February 1937, Page 9

TRYING TO TRAVEL OPPOSITE WAYS

United States Neutrality INFLUENCE OF TRADE AGREEMENTS By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright. (Received February 5, 7.5 p.m.) Washington, February 5. Dr. Bernard Baruch, appearing before the House of Representatives Military Affairs Committee at the hearing of evidence on the neutrality resolutions, said the United States was trying to travel in opposite directions tit the same time by endeavouring to build foreign trade through reciprocal agreements and simultaneously voting for strict neutrality. He pointed out that this coulliet in ideas must make certain countries hesitate to establish economic relations with the United States when they might be deprived of vital supplies in time of war. lie advocated a strong armed neutrality. He said: “Who can believe that had we been ready to fight in 1917 we should have been subjected to the English interference and German in solence that finally made us fight?” He issued a warning that the cutting off of supplies of raw materials from belligerents would result in retaliation depriving the United States of such essential products as tin, nickel and rubber. Senator Key Pittman, chairman of the Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee, in a statement, said:—“Reports that the President of Hie British Board of Trade. Mr. Walter Runcimaii, when at Washington, received assurances that there would be no interference with shipments to Britain in the event of the latter being involved in war are, in my opinion, entirely without foundation. Such an attitude would be inconsistent with the Administration’s policy of non-interfer-ence in the affairs of other nations.” Bernard Mannes Baruch was appointed by President Wilson in 1916 a member of the advisory committee of the Council of National Defence. He was appointed chairman of the War Industries Board in 1918, later became n member of the Supreme Economic Council and chairman of its raw materials division aiid was economic adviser to the American Peace Commission.