WAR DANGER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23470, 6 October 1939, Page 7

WAR DANGER

EMBARGO ON ARMS NEED FOR REPEAL WARNING BY SENATOR LIKELY NAZI ACTION

By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright (Received October 5. 5.5 p.m.) "WASHINGTON, Oct. A

The debate in the Senate on the proposed amendments to the Neutrality Act was resumed to-day. Mr. Tom Cormally (Democrat —Texas) advocated the repeal of the arms embargo. He asserted that the present law would certainly involve the United States in the war, and accused Mr. W. E. Borah and other opponents of the amendments of Basing their arguments on false premises. Mr. Connally uttered a warning that if the law was not changed Germany would begin sinking American merchantmen. He recalled German submarine activity against the United States in the Great War, and said I Germany would not hesitate to do the same again. Germany could not object to the United States selling arms when Germany herself was buying from other neutrals. Outlaws Encouraged "An embargo which permits sales of arms in peace time, but denies them in war time, encourages highwaymen and outlaws to equip themselves for aggression," said Mr. Connally. "At the same time such an embargo denies peaceful, law-abiding citizens the right to prepare to defend themselves." The speaker suggested Congress should create an unbeatable Navy and a full-strength Army. He called the oceans four-way paved highways on which the enemy forces could travel to attack the United States. Mr. Connally further warned aggressors that the United States did not want a quarrel, but it would be a better policy not to send spies and organisers of secret societies to undermine American ideals. Taking Sides Mr. A. H. Vandenborg (Republican —Michigan) in tlie neutrality debate asserted that the embargo had become the symbol of American neutrality. Tlie world would accept repeal as an indication that America was taking sides in tho war. "We are asked to depart from our neutrality policy on behalf of otio belligerent whom our personal sympathies largely favour, against another whom our personal feelings largely condemn," ho said. "In my opinion this road may lend us to war."

Mr. Edward C. Johnson (DemocratColorado) moved a resolution requesting President Roosevelt to join other neutrals in urging an immediate armistice in the European war.

Mr. Toboy proposed a motion to resubmit the Neutrality Bill to the Foreign Relations Committee to enable the separation of the repeal of the arms embargo feature from the cash and carry proposal and the immediate enactment of the latter in order to protect the United States immediately against occurrences involving her in war similar to those of 1917. "SAFETY ZONE" AMERICAN WATERS ADVICE TO BELLIGERENTS (Received October 5, 5.5 v p.m.) NEW YORK. Oct. -1 The President of Panama, Dr. Juan Arosemena, anting on behalf of 21 American Republics, has formally advised Britain, France and Germany that the Pan American Conference has adopted a "safety belt" in the waters of the western hemisphere in which all belligerent activities \\;ill be considered outlaw. It is understood that the question of advising Russia was decided in the s negative, because technically sheas not States Secretary of State, My. Cordell Hull, in explaining the mourning of the safety /-one, said that if the belligerents decline to refrain fro nil hostilities in the zone the American Republics will confer. Inev 'will, however, retain individual freedom' olfaction and decision. .Mr Hull said the United States die not recognise the legality of unrestricted interference . with.. American ships and ll commerce, but he reiteiatec his warning to American vessels to staj out of theVwar zones.