Evening star., 1935-12-03

OtOoC Ot EtCCto W ANHCc
suggestion three iDeeks ago United
States exporters should limit ship
mentS to italian oil buyers. MuSso-
lini complained and minor riots
took place in Italian toUnS against
Americans and the British, leader
of the League Increment. Drying
up all sources OF oil for II Duce
plan conquest, declaring mar on
boycotting nations. or seeking the
black blood from Russia.
BY the Associated Press.
Secretary Ickes contended today
that his November 81 remarks about
exports to Italy and Ethiopia had been
misunderstood" and that he had
asked only for compliance with the
administration efforts to hold up ship
ment of munitions"
His expression in question had been
almost exclusively interpreted as call
ing on the oil industry to hold up
oil shipments to the warning nations.
Asked whether his remarks today
were to be interpreted as backing
down" in view of the Italian attitude
toward an oil embargo, Ickes said
only "all I can do Is read from the
record"
A few minutes later Secretary Hull
threatened criminal prosecution Of
firms and individuals handling arms,
ammunition and implements of war
who thus far have failed to register
with the Government as prescribed by
the neutrality act.
Coincidentally, the Secretary OF
State made public list Of SO per-
sons and companies which have met
the requirements Of the neutrality
law by registering within the pre-
scribed e0-day period.
Under the act, all those engaged in
the manufacture, expectation and i'm
portation of arms, ammunition and
implements of war are required to
register with the Secretary of State,
paying a $500 fee
Quizzed on Intent.
In his first reference to his exports
remarks since he made the statement
three weeks ago, Ickes said today his
position was:
ter and spirit with the Government
in its efforts to halt shipments Of
munitions of war to belligerents."
Asked who he meant by they"
Ickes acknowledged that the preced-
ing question at the November 81
press conference was concerned only
with oil exports.
He confirmed the original reports
of his conference that he, at later
point. had said holding up oil exports
would not depress the price.
League Move Followed.
The remarks in November by Ickes
were followed by action abroad to
have the League of Nations include an
oil embargo In its sanctions applying
to Italy.
Asked why he had not corrected the
"misinterpretation" earlier, Ickes said
only, If were in the habit Of cor
recting all statements attributed to me
! wouldn't have time for my work."
He reminded reporters that at the
time he had said that he had no "au-
thority at all" to enforce an oil en-
barge and added today that is within
the jurisdiction of the Secretary of
State-I made a general statement
applying to everybody"
The Secretary said he was not Of
fering his remarks as correction"
He declined comment on a suggestion
that his remarks indicated a change
in the State Departments attempts to
discourage shipments of war materials
10 either Italy or Ethiopia.
No immediate comment was forth
coming from the State Department on
1ckes' statements.
In his formal statement on registra-
tion, Hull asserted that number Of
firms presumably coming under the
neutrality law have not registered.
Expressing the hope that their failure
to do so has been due to "inadvertence"
and that they will comply with the
law within the next few days, he
added that should they fail to 90 so
within reasonable time he would oe
obliged to send the names of the COM
panies to the Attorney General "for
such action as he may deem ap-
propriate."
Fine Provided.
A penalty of five years imprison-
ment or $4,000 fine or both Is pro-
vided for vocation of the law. It pro-
vides that all persons registering
vunder the act shall maintain, sub
ject to the inspection of the National
Munitions Control Board. such per-
manent records of manufacture or ex-
port, importation or expectation of
arms, ammunition or implements of
war as the board prescribes.
Those desiring to import or export
arms. ammunition or implements of
war must first obtain license from
the board, which issues 1t only after
determining that the export or i'm
port Of such materials is not In viola
ton of any American law.
The registration period closed No
vember 40.
Hull's Statement.
The full text Of Hull's statement fol-
lows:
There viii be released today q
statement containing q list Of the per-
sons and companies engaged In the
manufacture, expectation and impor-