RUSH BILL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23378, 21 June 1939, Page 13

RUSH BILL

NEUTRALITY ISSUE AMERICAN POLICY CONTEST EXPECTED PRESIDENT'S POWERS By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received Juno 20, 7.30 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Juno 19 President Roosevelt threw down the gage of battle on the neutrality issue to-day when he opened what many legislators expect will he the most strenuous contest on foreign affairs since the debate on the question of America's entry into the League of Nations. The President told Congressional leaders that in spite of a threat of a fdibuster he wanted a vote on the bill, which gives the President added powers and revokes the mandatory embargo on arms, before the session ends. The Speaker, Mr. W. 13. Bankliead, later announced that it was tentatively planned to introduce the bill in the House of Representatives next week, and it was expected it would be passed before tlie end of the week. The New York Herald Tribune says the Administration plans to rush the bill through the House, allowing only eight hours for debate, and then bring pressure on the Senate to pass it this session. The Administration hopes to have the House legislative programme completed by July 15, and then adjourn the House every three days to await Senate action in case of a filibuster. Some members of Congress believe that if a filibuster develops and public opinion toward the bill is adverse, the President will adjourn Congress and shelve Senate action until January, The measure provides that when the President declares that a state of hostilities exists between foreign nations, American citizens cannot lawfully travel in vessels belonging to belligerents nor can American vessels proceed through areas which the President declares outlawed. It- shall be unlawful for persons within the United States to deal in securities of belligerents, or make any loans to them, under a penalty of £IO,OOO and/or imprisonment for fire years. Trade with Belligerents Americans cannot personally ship goods to belligerents, and all American interests in such goods must be disposed of before leaving the United States. No contributions can be solicited in the United States for belligerents, save for medical assistance and food and clothing to relieve human suffering. The foregoing provisions do not apply to the American republics. It is further provided that the President shall have power to demand a bond from any vessel leaving an American port with men or munitions which might possibly be destined for transhipment to a belligerent vessel, or to intern any vessel which returns to the United States after making such transhipments. The President may prohibit or limit the entry or departure of any belligerent submarine or armed merchantman to or from a United States port. Munitions Control Board

The bill creates a National Munitions Control Board, composed of the Secretaries of State, the Treasury, War. the Navy and .Commerce, with which manufacturers, dealers, and importers of munitions must register, and from which they must obtain a licence before exporting munitions. The measure, with the exception of the creation of the Munitions Beard, rests all other provisions upon the President's discretion. He need only proclaim that any step mentioned is necessary to assure the United States' neutrality and it becomes law, and can bo rescinded in a similar manner. The recommendations differ from tbo existing statute principally in that they make no provisions for an embargo on the export of arms or munitions, do not mention nations engaged in civil strife, and give the President broader discretion.