Evening star., 1938-08-20
REVISED NEUTRAL
ACT MAY BEL ASKED
Move in Congress to Except
Canada From Provisions
of Law Forecast.
Ry the Associated Press.

President Roosevelt's declaration
that the people of the United States
would not stand idly by If Canada
were attacked by a foreign power,
may result in rewording of the
Neutrality Act.
Informed observers predicted that
an attempt would be made in the
next Congress to insert Canada among
the nations excepted from the acts
application.
Section four OF the act excepts the
American republics. It says: This
act shall not apply to an American
republic or republics engaged in war
against q non-American state or
states. provided the American republic
is not cooperating with non-Ameri-
can state or states In such war;"
Onacials say Canada is not included
in the term American republics"
Hence observers believe that, as q log
ical consequence Of President Roose-
velt's declaration with regard to the
Dominion, it may have to be specif-
ically mentioned.
Hearings before the Senate and
House Foreign Affairs Committees
while the present neutrality law was
in preparation disclosed a considerable
opinion in favor of giving special
consideration to Canada with regard
to our neutrality policy.
Hull Won't Enter Discussion.
Some witnesses objected to the
neutrality law ON the grounds that it
might cut of our trade with Canada
if Great Britain were involved in war.
Secretary of State Hull is refusing
to be drawn into a discussion as to
whether President Roosevelt's decla-
ration was an extension of the Mon
roe Doctrine to Canada. The Presi-
dent said at a press conference he
did not have that idea in mind when
he made the speech.
Some observers said the effect
would be the same. An international
legal expert close to the State De-
partment said the Presidents decla-
ration was analogous" to the Monroe
Doctrine.
Observers added that, at any rate,
the President had stated for the first
time what actually has been a fact
for many years, that the United States
would come to Canada's assistance If
she were attacked by an outside pc" er.
Meanwhile, Notwithstanding the op-
position Of Premier Mitchell Hepburn
of Ontario, the State Department in
tends to urge the negotiation Of q
treaty with Canada for the develop
ment of the st. Lawrence waterway.
That was the consensus of depart
ment officials following publication Of
Premier Hepburn's letter to Canadian
Prime Minister Mackenzie King, say
ing:
Irrespective of any propaganda or
squeeze play that may be concocted
by you, you may rest assured that this
(Ontario) government will resist any
effort to force use to expend public
funds in such an unwarranted man
ner."
Officials here said they did not be-
lieve Premier Hepburn's opposition in
itself would wreck the prospects OF
the project, which President Roosevelt
urged Canada to accept.
The project is so conceived, they as
serted, that Canada is required to pay
only small part Of its cost. Canada
would receive credit for the works she
has completed in connection with the
waterway, such as the Welland Canal,
which cost $3.50, 100000.
President Roosevelt had answered
in advance, they said, the premier's
argument that the waterway would
tnjure the railroads. In his speech
dedicating the Thousand Islands
Bridge, the President said:s
I'VE know now that the effect Of a
waterway Is not to take traffic away
from railroad lines. Actually, it Gre
ates new possibilities, new businesses,
new activity"
Ofhcials readily admitted Ontario
had an ample supply of power, but
predicted her need for more electricity
would begin to be felt around 1s41
or 1912.
The waterway and power project
could not be completed in less than
seven years, they pointed out.