Evening star., 1937-03-07
j: s. NEUTRALITY
POLICY ASSA|LED
Peace and Democracy Con.
ference Speakers Say Meas
ures Assist Fascists.

Charges that the economic forces
of the United States are being used
Ito aid the Fascist attack on the
cally-constituted government
Of Spain" were made last night at the
second session at the Willard Hotel
Of the Eastern Seaboard Legislative
Conference for Peace and Democracy.
Addressing more than 600 delegates
representing groups claiming 1921 600
members, DR.. Harry F. Ward, chair
man of the American League Against
War and Fascism, attacked the present
neutrality policy Of the United States
as involving measures which tend to
assist Fascist nations in their inva-
sion of Spain
by embargoes, we deny even medi-
cal aid to the people injured by the
Fascist attackers" he said. but at
the same time, we allow the exporting
of nitrate which is being used to make
munitions for Gen. Frances soldiers.
Points 10 Spanish Rights"
THE Spanish government is entitled
by law and custom to the right to
obtain the means of defense against
Fascist attacks. The American League
Against War and Fascism is fighting
the pending so-called neutrality legis-
lation We ask that civil war not
be included in the general embargo
legislation; that embargo legislation
should cover all war supplies, loans
and credits and that no discretion
should be given the President in these
matters"
DR.. Ward. professor of Christian
ethics at Union Theological Seminary.
also attacked State Department ac-
tions which, he said, Deny to Amer
leans the privilege to exercise rights
under common law to travel abroad
as freely as they please"
Andre Malraux, author of Mans
Fate" and Days of Wrath" explorer
and French leader Of the International
Air Squadron assisting the Spanish
loyalists. also addressed the gather
ing. Saying that when he left Spain,
there wasn't a single X-ray plate in
Valencia. he called on Americans to
send medical aid to Spain at once
so we will make it known to all nom
combatants that they can call upon
the Americans when it becomes neces-
sary."
Pro-Fascism in U. S. Charged.
Representative Bernard, Farmer-La-
borite. Of Minnesota said America S
part in the World War was not in
defense of democracy. but in defense
OF CIV Street" interests. He charged
the .lnistration has taken a pro-
Fascist attitude
Bernard was the only House member
who voted against the emergency leg
islation prohibiting the shipment OF
munitions to Spain.
Another speaker, Miss Rose Stein
told the conference the Government is
helping American munitions makers
Ito keep in practice for the next war"
John Davis, head of the National
Negro Congress, called on the confer
ence to strike blow for the rights
of the colored race against lynching
and Jim Crowism.'
Last minute Fight on Bill.
In opening the conference yesterday
afternoon, Paul M. Reid, national Sec
retary of the league. indicated the
conference is last-minute effort to
prevent enactment of the pending
neutrality legislation.
He outlined the leagues task as q
three-fold one: To turn "a searchlight
on Legislation exposing its weaknesses
and dangers and the forces behind
these measures; to demand legislation
that will really establish peace and
protect democracy" and to serve
warning ito the economic and politi-
cal tories that a significant mass OF
the American people will neither be
bamboozled nor coerced into deserting
democracy at home or abroad or be-
traying the country into war"
The conference sessions today, to be
held at the Shoreham Hotel, will be
featured by round table discussions OF
neutrality, labor's rights, national de-
fense and discrimination, alien and
gag laws" The list of speakers will
include Senator Nye, Republican, OF
North Dakota, and Representatives
Bernard, Coffee, Magnusson, Kvale
Oliver, Honeyman, Buckler, Dewey
johnson and Teigan.