Evening star., 1938-02-09
JEANETTE RANKIN
OPPOSES NAVY BILL.
Asks Approval Be Withheld
on Declared Policy of
Defense Needs.

By the Associated Press.
The first woman member of Con-
gress, opposing an $500, ,o0O,O 900 expan-
sion of the Navy. told Congress today
that wholly abnormal warship build
ing by the United States would lin
tensify international tensions" and
speed the world toward war.
Former Representative Jeannette
Rankin, legislative secretary of the
National Council for Prevention of
War, led ffthe opposition to President
Roosevelt's proposal to increase the
feet 20 per cent.
She called on the committee to
withhold approval until the demands
can be judged on the basis of a de-
clared policy of defense only and Of a
determination of our defense needs. "
1T is the responsibility of this coun-
try Miss Rankin said, Ito set the
precedent of a national military policy
Of defense only"
She said the Presidents demand for
Large armament increases" presents
Congress with an opportunity to end
the present uncertainty as to what
our foreign policy is"
Has World Peace in Mind.
Charles A. Beard, historian and
author, told the committee President
Roosevelt had in mind maintenance
OF world peace by the force of
American arms and diplomacy" when
he advocated the naval increase.
Although he said he accepted Sec
retary Hulls statement that the
United States has no alliances with
foreign powers. Mr.. Beard said the
Presidents program has mo meaning
save as one step in the direction of
applying his quarantine doctrine to
Europe and Asia"
Next year Congress will be called
upon to take the next STEP" he said.
To Mr.. Boards expressed fears that
the President would use the increased
Navy to implement some changed
foreign policy" Representative Mass,
Republican, Of Minnesota, replied that
no part of the program could be con-
structed during Mr.. Roosevelt's term
Of Office.
Mr.. Beard questioned what he called
the Presidents demand for general
mobilization legislation in connection
with Navy expansion, asking whether
THIS was necessary IN a program de-
scribed as solely for defense.
The President wants an Army and
Navy to back up his plans for world
peace" Mr.. Beard asserted.
Stephen Raushenbush, author, re-
search man and former chief investi-
gator for the Senate Munitions Com
mlttee, advocated consideration of a
speclhc defense policy before action
Is taken on the pending bill.
Path of Bill Seen Smoother.
Senate chieftains, meanwhile, re-
garded Secretary Hulls denial of a
naval understanding with England as
helping smooth the legislative path for
the expansion program.
Democratic Leader Barkley of Ken
lucky predicted the Secretary of
States reply to questions of Senator
johnson. Republican, of California
would "cut the ground out from un-
DER some of the Senate opposition.
Hull said there was no agreement to
operate the United States fleet in con-
Junction with Great Britain or any
other country, or to use the fleet in
patrol duty. Barkley commented this
should silence opponents, who had
reared a large Navy was to be built to
police the world.
Hull added a denial that there was
any understanding with England re-
latlng to possible war DEVELOPMENTS,
President Roosevelt had advocated, in
his Chicago speech, a quarantine" of
aggresor nations. but Barkley said
this was an expression OF American
policy only.