GREAT DEFEAT

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20862, 21 July 1939, Page 7

GREAT DEFEAT

INVITATION TO WAR STRONG PRESS COMMENT THE NEUTRALITY ISSUE (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) NEW YORK, July 20 The New York Times, in a twocolumn leading article which is probably tiie strongest expression of opinion from any American newspaper relative to the present situation of the j neutrality law, labels the postponement of action by the Senate “An Invitation to War.” "The step is a stunning defeat for the Administration and a hard blow for all those who believe the best hope , of keeping the United States at peace lies in a policy o«f concerted action to , make the outbreak of a general war less likely,” says the Times. "In blunt terms, this is an invitation to aggressor nations to use war or the ; threat of war to achieve their con- ; quests. "There Is no use in attempting to disguise the fact that the result in Congress will bring satisfaction to Berlin and Rome. It will be read there as evidence that American foreign policy is still uncertain and confused, still working at cross-purposes to the great disadvantage of our real national interests. Must Play Part in War "But they must doubt whether this result represents the Anal consideration of the question on its merits, and they must note the strong belief on this side of the Atlantic ttiat in any' war which they may start the United Slates will ultimately play a part. "No Neutrality Act can prevent the American pebple from favouring their natural allies. In any ultimate test of strength between democracy and dictatorship, the goodwill and moral support—and in tiie long run, more than likely, the physical power—of the United States will be found on the side of those nations defending the way ol' life which is our own way of life and the only way of life which Americans believe to be 7 worth living." HEATED DISCUSSIONS SENATOR BORAH’S CHALLENGE THREAT OF FURTHER CRISIS (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyrlg-ht) WASHINGTON, July 20 The neutrality discussions at White House yesterday between representatives of the Administration and the Senate leaders became extremely heated, says the Washington correspondent of the New York Times. Senator W. E. Borah apparently challenged the authenticity or candour of the "confidential reports” of which the Secretary of Slate, Mr Cordell Hull, and President Roosevelt spoke so much as showing tiie threat of a further crisis in Europe. Mr Borati said he considered his own sources of information just as reliable as those of the Department of State, upon which Mr Hull took offence and everybody, including the President, spoke at once. The Vice-President, Mr John N. Garner, stopped the .useless discussion by asking whether there were enough votes to force the Neutrality Bill to the floor of the Senate, and everyone was compelled to agree that there were not, upon which the President laughed, everybody regained good liumur, and the meeting broke up in the friendliest manner, Mr Garner seeing to it that Senator Borah and Mr Hull shook hands cordially before parting. A further canvass of the Congressional situation disclosed that there is little likelihood of action in the present session of Congress regarding the various Japanese embargo proposals.