Evening star., 1937-01-19

part in pitching US into foreign war.
In light Of that experience a people
| who swear q determination to avoid
more foreign war had better look to
the necessity Of building against these
same influences getting in their work
once again. We need powerful neu-
trality policy and law.
Through recent months public sem
timent has forced the writing OF tenn
porary law. 1t has been made tempo
rary because Of contention that there
was need for more study before We
enacted permanent laws. The present
law will expire May l. 1t is necessary
that any progress on the issue be ac-
complished before that date.
At the present time those who have
been at work on the neutrality ques-
ton for two years are perfecting their
draft OF a permanent law. Under the
leadership OF Senator Bennett c.
Clark, who will introduce the proposal,
we feel that We have reached language
which will prove an effective force
against the tides which in another
foreign war would suck us into the
conflict. The bill should be ready for
introduction in very few days.
appetite for Blood Money"
Any proposal of genuine neutrality
must first of all recognize the neces-
sity of American resignation from any
appetite for profit from the wars Of
other nations. With memory Of past
experience and what might very
easily happen again, our program Of
permanent neutrality must embody the
following principles:
First, q forbiddance Of the exporta-
tion of munitions or implements OF
war to any nation engaged In war.
The list of articles now defined As
munitions might well be enlarged
upon. Some, including myself, are in
favor of An embargo against the ex-
portation Of anything to nation at
war. but recognize the futility Of try
ing to accomplish so much In one
bite. Embargoing only munitions
leaves q very large field Of commerce
open to challenge our neutrality and
peace.
Second, to cover this larger field Of
commerce, our laws of neutrality
should empower the President to add
to the list Of embargoed articles when,
in the time of war. it Is found that
some Of our expectations are the raw
materials used in manufacturing mu-
nitions. In this there would of neces-
sity be large power Of discretion left
with the President, . discretion that
must be imposed somewhere. But to
cover the danger Of this large COM
mercial activity in commodities not
defined as munitions We would ac-
complish much If our law provided
for the so-called cash and carry plan
which would deny to Americans any
right, title or interest in any article
or commodity exported from the
United States to any port or place in
tended for delivery to q nation At war.
This would be notice that our country
had no intention Of le & the war
trade Of few Americans drag 125,-
000, 900 people into . conflict between
others.
No Loans and Credits.
Third, our policy must forbid
American loans and credits. financing
Of any kind, to nations at war. II
American bankers must have . hand
in foreign wars let them alone join
the foreign legions.
Fourth. mindful Of the experience
Of Americans on the British Lusitania,
our neutrality laws must forbid pass
ports to Americans who persist in
travelling upon the ships of nations
at war.
There are minor considerations in
volving civil wars, foreign investments
in our securities. shipping regulations.
and other causes which, Of course,
must be covered. But what I have
outlined would, If made the law, 60 far