Evening star., 1936-12-27

foreign nag vessels during wartime
Citizenship would still envelop an
American SO travelling. and the United
States would be unable to avoid its
duty. However, II the law provided
direct penalties for American citizens
who Travelled ON foreign vessels in
time Of war. whether they boarded
them in American of foreign ports. 1t
might have the effect Of preventing
such travel. A certain time, perhaps
90 days. might be given for the evacu-
alton Of American citizens from war
ring nations on the ships Of these
nations, before the penalties would
run.
The supporters Of such strict neu-
trality admit that it might interfere
with American foreign commerce;
that 1t might cause unemployment in
this country and hardship because
American exports would be cut Of. 1t
is q lesser price. they say. than would
be the price of war. IL the failure to
observe such neutrality drew the coun-
try into q foreign conflict.
The other side insists that kind Of
neutrality would be pusillanimous. OF
what use the American Navy, they
say, If the freedom Of the seas and
the right to trade are to be given up
Immediately war Is declared between
foreign nations. Furthermore, they
do not believe that such strict neu-
trality would be carried out, even If
written into law. The circumstances
at the time Of foreign war. and the
reaction Of public opinion in this
country, they say, might cause Con-
gress to throw the neutrality act into
the discard overnight.
B0rah, VandenberT Opposed.
Senator Vandenberg Of Michigan, .
member Of the now defunct NUM-
tions" Committee Of the Senate. from
which the first neutrality resolution
emanated, In the past has made it
clear that he is strongly in favor
Of q neutrality law definite in char
acter and leaving nothing to the dis
cretion Of the President. The Michi-
gan Senator Is = member of the
Foreign Relations Committee. Sem
ator Borah of Idaho, on the other
hand, the ranking Republican mem
Der Of the Foreign Relations Com
mittee, has been quoted as saying
that he believed the neutrality act
must leave certain things to the dis
- tbnk
ton to be used by the Chief Execu-
tive In the light of the developments
OF q foreign war.
Both these Senators are Repub-
licans. It is to be expected that the
new law will be drafted by the Demo-
Gratis in the Senate and probably in
the light Of recommendations made
by President Roosevelt. It Is known,
however, that the Democrats are di-
vided. as are the Republicans, over
the terms OF the proposed law. Sena-
tor Pittman Of Nevada, chairman Of
ehe Committee on Foreign Relations,
y expected to call his committee to-
gether soon after Congress meets to
deal with this important subject.
A new proposal regarding neutral-
ity legislation, was advanced on Cap
itol Hill yesterday and is being given
consideration. That Is q pro-
posal to take away American Citizen
ship from any American volunteer
ing to tight in foreign war. It H
contended that II . number Of Amer
lean citizens are recruited to take part
In . foreign war, as now proposed by
the Socialist party Of New York, which
wants to enlist 500 American volun-
teers to fight for the Loyalists In the
Spanish civil war, American neutral
ity would certainly be violated in q
big way. Such action might easily
lead to this country being drawn
into the war.
Rropssal Sure 70 Be Made.
II this proposal to remove American
citisenship from those enlisting in
foreign service for war u not included
In the neutrality bill. then It Is likely
70 be offered as . separate measure,
It was said.
In addition TO seeking volunteers to
dght for the government" in SPAIN
the New York Socialists also are seek
Inc 10 raise money 10 .eontributs -