IN AMERICA

Hokitika Guardian, 26 September 1939, Page 5

IN AMERICA

NEUTRALITY BILL INTERESTING CONTENTS. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright). WASHINGTON, September 24. A final draft of the Government’s Neutrality Bill has been completed. Senator Pittman (Democrat), . predicts that the Senate Foreign: Relations’ Committee will report . favourably on it. He ■ says: -‘lt* icovers 'President Roosevelt’s points.” He says: it also makes -an important addition, Avhich. he declines to disclose, but he claims that it will be more neutral than the present Neutrality Act.” It is hinted that the important addition to the Neutrality Bill (cabled earlier) strengthens the provision prohibiting American ships from carrying either, passengers or freights of belligerent countries. PAN-AMERICAN PROPOSAL. PANAMA CITY, September 24. Several of the delegations to the Pan-American Conference suggested an extension. of territorial waters. They differed on the width of the proposed) as a “primary defence band;” It is reliably stated that opinion is crystallising in favour of 300 miles. The proposal has not been registered formally, pending a plenary session to-morroAV. It may then be advanced jointly by a majority of the delegations. ■ It is explained, that it envisages no extension of the peace-time jurisdiction, but it means, the creating of an area in which belligerency Avould be banned. ...' . Mr Sumner Welles will outline the position: of the United States at tomorrow’s session. DECISIONS. (Received this day at. 10.50 a.m.). PANAMA, Sept. 25. Mr Welles, opening the Pan-Ameri-can Conference, ■ offered to Latin America, ‘the United States economic co-operation and assistance of the Un' ed States Merchant Marine, as a way to helping cushion the effect of the war in the Western Hemisphere. He asserted the Western Republics AA-fi'r-. determined to defend themselves and their rights, and called on delegates to state emphatically “We. cannot agree that the security of nationals legitimate commercial interests should be jeopardised by belligerent activities, in close proximty to the shores of the new World.”- -