ISSUE NARROWED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20074, 21 October 1939, Page 5

ISSUE NARROWED

WASHINGTON DEBATE

QUESTION OF REPEAL

ANSWER TO BORAH KNOWLEDGE OF EUROPE (Elec. Tol. Copyright-—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Oct,. 21, 9 a.m.) WASHINGTON, Oct. 20. Final agreement on proposals to permit American vessels to carry cargo other than arms to some belligerent ports was reached by Democrat members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Thursday. American aircraft could operate at all ports of the western hemisphere. An amendment of the existing credit system for private nationals was also approved.

This narrowed the controversy on neutrality to the principal issue of the repeal of the embargo.

The majority leader, Senator Baricley, ' vigorously . attacked Senator Borah, asserting that lie engaged in “fantastic resort to the imagination when he gave warning that American arms factories could be attacked." Mr. Barkley sarcastically noted Mr. Borah's claims to a better knowledge of Europe than the Secretary of State, Mr. Cordell Hull. “It would be as logical to say: Destroy our wheatfields and poison our livestock, because the bread and meat might find a way to Britain and France,” declared Mr. Barkley. Call for Conference Senators Wheeler and Lundcen. proponents of the embargo, urged President Roosevelt to try immediately to arrange a European peace conference.

Senator Norris opposed this, declaring that unless Herr Hitler returned Poland and Czechoslovakia “to their people,” the offer would be useless

Senator Johnson said he was afraid the opportunity for the President had already passed.

Senator McCarran declared that if the embargo were repealed Mr. Roosevelt would disqualify himself as an intermediary in Europe.

Senator Austin said it was necessary that the Allies should win..

“What does the senator mean by win?” Senator Borah demanded tc know. “Something that would satisfy the United States, or satisfy Britain?”

Senator Austin replied that he meant an Allied victory, which was “necessary for the purpose of promoting peace and the security of the United States.” Allied Victory Senator Vandenberg chimed in: “Pursuing that logic, it would be necessary for the United States to send soldiers to Europe.” Several senators then clamoured for Senator Austin to define an Allied victory.

He obliged as follows: —“Stopping aggression; stopping the penetration of our country with ideas that undermine our Government; stopping events that might lead to the occupation of Canada and the islands off the coast and Latin America by the totalitarians engaged in efforts to dominate the world.”

The Senate group which framed the amendment liberalising the proposed shipping restrictions under the Neutrality Act have started a movement to compensate American shipping companies for any losses imposed by the shipping restrictions.

They said they planned to submit such a measure to the next session of Congress.

Meanwhile two Republican representatives have proposed legislation to curtail possible discretionary powers of the President in dealing with the European war situation, but there is no indication that it has the backing of a solid minority.

Senator Wolcott, Michigan, introduced a bill which is intended to prevent disguised lending by the Government to belligerents. It specifically places Government agencies under the Johnson Act and prohibits the investment of the stabilisation fund in currencies and securities of belligerent Governments. Senator McDowell. Pennsylvania, submitted a resolution to create a committee to tabulate a report on the emergency powers the President possesses under the existing laws.