The Washington times., 1936-02-03
NEUTRAL BILL
DEN0UNCEDB BY
INSURGENTS
johnson Leads Bitter
Attack, Aided BY
Moore's Barraee
By EDWARD b. LOCKETT
International News Service

AutGfhhuUM8A 1NOWb E&EVAC9
A bitter, wide-open fight ragged
over pending neutrality legisla-
ton in the Senate today, as In
surgents led by Senator Hiram
johnson (R.) of California,
launched a slashing onslaught
against the measure sponsored
by the Administration.
Johnson, who has aSsailed per-
manent neutrality proposals be-
hind. closed Senate Foreign Rela-
tionS Committee doors for three
weeks, brought his attack into
the open with publication Of the
singing denunciation Of the
legislation by John BaSse
Moore, world renowned authority
on international law.
Moore pictured the Administra-
ton bill as complete dictatorship,
and said it was "a curious blend
of homicidal and suicidal mania"
Instead of helping this nation
remain aloof from foreign wars,
he said, 1t would inevitably drag
the United States into conflicts
that were otherwise none Of
Americas business.
Seek Extension OF Act
Publication Of the Moore opin-
ion, which was originally given to
the Foreign Relations Committee
in secret session, came at q time
when strong sentiment was build
ing I'D for extension Of the exist
ing temporary neutrality act.
JohnSon'S action was calculated to
strengthen this feeling.
Senator Key Pittman (D0 Of
Nevada, and chairman Of the Sen
ate Foreign Relations Committee,
nevertheless, hoped to win his
committees approval Of the Ad-
miniStration measure some time
this week. In the House the legiS-
lation has been reported by the
Foreign Affairs Committee, and
may come up for the debate on
the floor next Saturday.
In the Senate COMMITTEES, there
is q powerful group opposed to the
permanent neutrality proposal, in
Cluding Senators Borah RJ Of
Idaho, vandenberg (R) Of Michi-
gan, and others. Senator Thomas
Cd Of Oklahoma has introduced o
proposal for extension Of the pres
ent temporary law as . substitute.
Moore Attack Bitter
While this was originally pro
posed as Q stop-gap in case there
was delay in action on the perma-
nent plan, today there appeared
reason to believe it may be carried
over for another year.
Moore'S denunciation Of the Ad-
ministration plan, which leaves q
large amount Of discretion In the
matter Of embargoeS other than
actual munitions and implements
Of war, was q scathing document.
He termed the permanent plan
fantastic, and expressed doubt
there was any real. understanding
sentiment in favor Of the measure.
He said:
I'VE are told that six million
women stand behind the pend
ing bill. Not only do not be-
heve this, but / venture to be-
Eeve that, If the bill were prop
erIy explained to them, not
5000 would be found to sup
port 1t.
''By the pending bill authority
is expressly conferred upon the
President to use the embargo
power for the purpose Of short
ening wars.
"ThiS obviously would bring
rs fully into any war to which
il was applied"
Scores Hall Baked Theories
Moore showed a great contempt
for what he pictured as ignorance
of the principles Of international
law on the part Of legislators He
said that half baked theories such
as seem to be prevalent would
only bring disaster upon the ma
ton. He declared:
"The hOm1C1dal mania gAFeS
In the proposal to try and
staEve other people who engage
In war, the suicidal mania
CLEANS In the proposal to de-
mOralize and destroy our COM
merce in order that peoples ut
war may not be nOurished BY
what we produce"
The neutrality fight was brought
into the open at q time when
the Senate Munitions Committee,
newly supplied with funds, pre-
pared to wind up its two-year
inquiry and report.
House leaders today decided to
delay action on the Administra-
tion's neutrality bill until the Sen
ate decides whether q similar
measure will be considered.
Postponement of neutrality Leg
islation, except for q resolution
continuing the present law for
one year, was indicated.