NEUTRALITY BILL

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 12, 9 October 1939, Page 10

NEUTRALITY BILL

Vote To Be Forced On Senator’s Motion

DEBATE CONTINUED

Hitler’s Speech Unlikely To Have Any Effect

By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. (Received October 8, 7.30 p.m.) WASHINGTON. October 7.

Despite the desire of the opponents of repeal of the arms embargo to delay the vote on Senator Tobey’s motion to separate the two main features of the Neutrality Bill because they believe it is certain to be defeated and so would be regarded as an Administration victory, the Administration will force a vote on Monday. The isolationists have lost two senators on whom they were counting, Senators Barbour and Bailey having issued a statement supporting repeal of the arms embargo.

The Senate debate on the neutrality issue reopened yesterday after senators had made themselves familiar with Herr Hitler’s speech. The speech, for the most part, elicited the observation that there was little confidence or sincerity in the Fuehrer and that his remarks were unlikely to have any effect on the neutrality discussions. “Lied So Often.” Senator Norris said: "He has lied so often.’’ Senator Nye: No matter what they do in Europe we must stay out. Senator King: I think we should beware of the Greeks when they bear gif Is. . Senator Capper: He is trying to frighten Britain and France, but it is up to Britain and France, and not the United States, to give an answer. Senator Borah: As far as I uni concerned, and as far as the American people are concerned, I would not believe either side. This was not an altogether unexpected observation, however, and was only a prelude to a statement by him and a leading group of 12 isolationists who have agreed to approve the remainder of the Administration’s Neutrality Bill if the. arms embargo repeal and the 90day credit proposal are eliminated, that "repeal is unnecessary if neutrality is the sole objective." The debate droned on with half tue seats empty. The speakers really bad nothing new to say, and members of the public did not wish to listen to what they had beard innumerable times before. Senator Thomas, who helped to draft the measure, said it would keep the United .States out of war. Senator, Downey forecast that the repeal of the embargo would bring inflation and a boom, will) catastrophic consequences. Presidential Nomination. The former Republican Presidential candidate, ,Goveruor Landon, gave the neutrality controversy a fillup when he announced that he was endorsing Senator Capper as the Republican Presidential nomination in 1940.

This is an important step by the titular leader of the parly, who intimated that Senators Vandenberg and Taft, who hitherto have been most prominent canditates for nomination, had eliminated themselves by their stand on the neutrality issue. Governor Landon left the impression that he considers that popular opinion largely approves of repeal of the arms embargo, and that a candidate holding the opposite view becomes politically unavailable as a Presidential candidate.

Senator Taft, addressing the American Federation of Labour today, opposed the extension of credit to Britain and France for the purchase of war materials.

The Washington correspondent of the “New York Journal of Commerce” says that in order to clarify the issues between the isolationists and President Roosevelt, Senator Nyo intimated that the former would frame a substitute neutrality measure which could be offered against, the pending Administration Bill. Its main points would be: (1) Retention of the embargo on arms, munitions, and implements of war; (2) a stricter “cash and carry” system, omitting9o-day credits; (3) prohibition of loans to belligerents: and (4) a prohibition against Americans travelling in belligerent vessels. The New York State Chamber of Commerce adopted a resolution urging the repeal of the embargo and increasing naval and air forces to the equal of any nation’s

CASH PAYMENTS

Ability Of The Allies

(Received October 8, 8.5 p.m.)

NEW YORK, October 7.

The New York “Journal of Commerce” cites the monthly letter of the National City Bank as showing that Britain and France are in a better position to pay cash for wartime purchases from the United .States than they were in 1914. It points out that the current. British and French gold holdings amount to 5,225,000,000 dollars, besides large additional holdings which would be received from South African and other mines. The British and French bank balances in the United States at present are estimated at 855,000,000 dollars, compared with the combined gold and foreign exchange resources of 2,815,000,000 dollars in 1914.

SURVEYS OF PUBLIC OPINION

(Received October 8, 9.20 p.m.)

NEW YORK, October 7.

A survey by the American Institute of Public Opinion revealed that 73 per cent, favoured United States defence of Canada if invaded by a European power, 72 per cent, favoured defence of any South American country within 1500 miles of the Canal zone and 53 per cent, favoured the defence of anv South American countries.

A poll conducted by the institute on the question whether the United States should declare war on Germany and send the army and navy abroad revealed that 95 per cent, answered No and 5 per cent. Yes, compared with 84 per cent. Yes and 10 per cent. No last mouth.