AMERICAN POLITICS

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20841, 27 June 1939, Page 8

AMERICAN POLITICS

PRESIDENT’S POWERS REDUCED QUARREL IN THE SENATE PRICE OF SILVER THE CAUSE (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) ('Receiver! June 27, 3:15 p.m.) WASHINGTON, June 26 As the result of a quarrel within the Senate over an attempt to raise the price of domestically-mined silver, Senators representing the silver-pro-ducing States have combined with the so-called Conservatives to repeal the powers of the President to devalue the dollar after June 30.

THE NEUTRALITY BILL

EFFORT TO STOP CONTROVERSY FIGHT ISOLATIONIST ATTEMPT (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) ('Received June 27, 3.15 p.m.) WASHINGTON, June 26 At a meeting held secretly on the eve of the introduction of the Neutrality Bill, Mr Roosevelt’s leaders in the House agreed to eliminate three controversial sections of the measure. However, it is understood that they decided to fight the isolationist attempt to reinsert the arms embargo provision of the present Apt. It is understood that the chief concession is the deletion of the section authorising the President in war time to define the combat areas from which American citizens and vessels will be barred. This decision was reached owing to the fear that adverse Congressional reaction to M. Bonnet's plea for American participation in the British-French peace front might have serious antiAdministration repercussions when the .debate begins to-morrow. Foes of the Bill contend that the combat zone provision is fake neutrality. since it would empower the President to proclaim combat areas in one affected section while refusing to invoke the same definition in another section. Frigid Reception to Speech Other reported changes consists of the clauses permitting short-term credits to belligerents and prohibiting the arming of American merchant vessels engaged in commerce with a belligerent State. M. Bonnet's speech has been frigidly received in all quarters. Senator Bloom expressed concern • over it and Representative James Shanley, a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, described it as "very unfortunate in view of the impending debate.”