AMERICAN NEUTRALITY

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 19661, 22 August 1935, Page 7

AMERICAN NEUTRALITY

A BILL INTRODUCED.

WILL STOP EXPORT OF ARMS.

FIERY SPEECHES IN SENATE

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

WASHINGTON, Aug. 20

In face of reports from London and Paris that the United States will be asked lo co-operate with Britain in the Abyssinian crisis, and official denials that the American Government has engaged in any diplomatic discussions on the question, the Foreign Relations Committee introduced in the Senate to-day a Neutrality Bill. Mr Huey P. Long (Democrat — Louisiana) said the measure must be passed in view of the threatening situation in East Africa.

Mr G. P. Nye (Republican—North Dakota) said he and his group were prepared to stonewall against all pending important “new deal” legislation until the passage of the neutrality measure was assured.

The bill would stop the export of arms to all belligerents and would make travelling by Americans on belligerent ships their own risk if the President so proclaims. Further, if the President so decides, belligerents’ submarines would he barred from American ports, as well as shipments of supplies for Ihe warring nations. There were many fiery speeches. Mr B. C. Clark (Democrat —Missouri) said that without a neutrality policy Mr Roosevelt would be as powerless to keep the United States out of a war as President Wilson was in 1917. Mr Long asserted that Italy was “jumping on" Ethiopia just as Austria did on Serbia in 1914. BILL PASSES SENATE. WIDE-REACHING PROPOSALSIN EVENT OF FOREIGN WARUnited P'-i'sc A«sn.—EHc. Tri. Copyright (Received Aug. 22, 10.33 a.m.) WASHINGTON, August 21. The resolution designed to safeguard United States’ neutrality in the event of foreign war was adopted by the Senate, and will now go to the House for action. It includes: — Authority for the President to prohibit United States citizens travelling in ships of belligerent nations, except at their own risk. Authority for the President to prevent ships, foreign or American, from carrying men or supplies to belligerent vessels at sea.

A mandatory embargo on the export of arms, munitions, and implements of war lo all belligerents in a foreign conflict system. The licensing of munitions manufacture and export as a permanent policy of the Government, along the lines of the Geneva Arms Treaty of 1925, ratified earlier in the session by the Senate.

It provides for a ban against American ships carrying arms or munitions under Ihe embargo to any belligerent port or neutral port for re-shipment to belligerents, and authority for the President to restrict or prohibit the entry of belligerent submarines into American waters or ports.