ARMS EMBARGO

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23930, 4 October 1939, Page 6

ARMS EMBARGO

THE MOVE FOR REPEAL AMERICAN NEUTRALITY DEBATE IN THE SENATE; WASHINGTON, Oct. 2. Opening the momentous Senate debate on neutrality,'Senator Pittman urged repeal of the arms embargo, declaring it was not a true symbol "of American neutrality. "There is no cause to fear that we will be drawn into the brutal, widening conflict," he said, "yet we, as representatives of a - peace-loving, democratic people, have not the right to refuse to take into consideration that the war, or the .war that develops from it, may now some day be brought to- the gateway of our own country;" . The galleries were jammed for the debate early in the day, and large crowds of disappointed men and women thronged the Capitol corridors. Extra police, augmented by G-men, were called on to keep order.

Before the opening, the Democratic leader (Senator Barclay) told the press that he was certain of 60 votes for the new measure. The Senate majority is 49. "We should get through in two weeks," he said. Senator Pittman centred his attack on the provision of the present Act in permitting American ships to carry any goods, except arms, to belligerents. He.declared that the danger did not lie in the types of goods exported, but in the fact that American vessels were iused, ! Senator Pittman continued;-that he was impatient with the arguments that the United States entered the Great War to collect debts. It was inhuman and illegal killing of American seamen that was ijresponsible. "Is there any doubt that Germany, contending that her submarines cannot safely come to the surface and search and'seize contraband, will . eventually pursue,■■the same policy as before?" he said. "Is there any doubt if the war lasts long enough and the situation is desoerate enough that they will resort to any form of destruction? "' Sacrifices for Peace |

Continuing, Senator ' Pittman said: "If our vessels cannot carry on commerce with belligerents artd the belligerents know it, there will "be little excuse for the destruction of American vessels with the inevitable loss ,of life" He pointed out that Americans would be compelled to make great sacrifices for peace under the 'cash and carry plan--the most stringent restrictions Jever imposed' by the Government. I He warned; embargo advocates: EWe must be careful not to : obstruct our exports. The conditions as regards industry and labottr in this country i to-day are so, deplorable that further obstructions would bankrupt large sections." .':"• \ Senator Pittman said many .'Americans mistakenly believe that prohibition of the sale of American armaments would entirely eliminate the United States from any part in the destruction of human lives, but the United States was already participating in mass, murder in ..China. Japan was processing large cjuantities of American raw 'materials for armaments; If an embargo was necessary, to keep the United .States out of war ; it should be ■placed on all materials for the manufacture of arms and ammunition, but he did not consider an ■ embargo- necessary. "It Isn't Our War^

The veteran isolationist,' Senator Borah, declared that: the-war would be brought "into our vexy : midst .if the embargo were repealed." "Let us stay out of this war," he shouted. "It Isn't our war." '; ; ..

Senator Borah charged the Administration that its Bill > was accented in Europe as an: attempt to aid Britain and France. This, would be likely to put the United States in a position where it, could > not deny further help. " Under the programme we are now adopting can we in the hour of greater needshould that hour unfortunately edrne —refuse to send our anrtieS? The only way I see that •we can stay out, having taken the first steps,,is for the war to end before we get there."

Senator Borah argued that .to.repeal the Act after war; had begun would be violation of international law. All who participated in getting arms and munitions ,to the scene of the conflict would be regarded and treated as enemies. "We will be in the war from the time the machinery is set in motion carrying these instrumentalities to the seat of war. The spy, the dynamiter, and air bombs will have a standing invitation to visit American plants. Who can doubt the invitation will be accepted? Cash and carry may protect the parties tb a transaction in the courts Of law. but in the realities of war it will protect no one." : / •