Evening star., 1939-10-26
BY ]. A. O'LEARY,

ny J. "A. OLEAhY.
The Senate wrote into the neu-
trality bill today a provision de-
signed to prevent foreign ships
from sailing under the American
flag. 1t would bar any ship vio-
lating the provision from American
ports for three months.
Action on the revised provision
came after the Senate was told by
Senator Tobey, Republican, of New
Hampshire that the British used
the American flag on their mer.
chant ships during the World War
to "mislead German submarines
and escape capture.
Senator Tobey disclosed that he
had taken up the matter with Sec
retary of State Hull. The Secre-
tary, he said, had advised him
there had been no indications that
the British were making similar
use Of the flag in the present war.
Senator Tobey, who originally
proposed the provision, although the
Senate acted on a less severe sub
stitute put forward by Majority
Leader Barkley, argued that the
use Of the flag by foreign vessels
would endanger American lives and
property.
The flag issue came up as the
Senate sped along toward a final
vote on the Neutrality Act tomor-
low.
Tobey Broadens Amendment.
At the outset of today's session.
Senator Tobey broadened his
amendment to include suggestions
made late yesterday by Senator
Clark, Democrat, of Missouri. This
Tobey motion provided that any
foreign vessel convicted by an ap-
propriate tribunal of flying the
American flag would be forfeited
to this Government. It's master sub
jected to possible fine or imprison-
ment, and all other ships of the
same ownership thereafter barred
from American ports for three
months.
Senators Barkley and Taft, Re-
publican, Of Ohio opposed the Tobey
plan on the ground this country
cannot hx penalties for odenses oc-
curing outside Of its jurisdiction.
Senator Tobey insisted he was
trying to get away from milk toast
diplomacy" by enacting IN effective
prohibition against the use Of this
country's nag by belhserent ships
to escape attack4at sea. He yielded.
however, to the suggestion of Sen
ator Barkley by dropping the pro-
vision for forfeiture and punishment
Of a ship master, leaving only the
exclusion of such ships from Amer
ican ports for three months.
The Senate moved slowly in dis
posing of amendments. After the
flag amendment had been adopted,
Senator Nicely, Democrat. Of West
Virginia. took the floor to discuss
the general issues in the bill, pre-
dieting that if "the Hitlerites win
the war in Europe" they will within
five years wage war against the
United States. He pictured "a Sieg-
fried line 5000 miles long on our
Northern border"
House Leaders Agree.
Meanwhile. House leaders appar-
emily reached a tentative agreement
to send the Senate version of the
neutrality bill to a joint Senate
House Conference Committee for
compromise rather than risk letting
tho uo,rca ov,,opI tha hill dirnct11,
This was made known after Ma
jority Leader Rayburn, Minority
Leader Martin and Representative
Mapes Of Michigan, senior Repub-
hcan on the House Rules Committee,
had discussion on procedure.
The Democratic leaders let 1t be
known they hoped to dispose of the
neutrality bill finally by the end of
next week and adjourn the special
session Immediately.
At his press conference, Speaker
Bankhead said the final decision
on procedure would await Senate
completion of the legislation. He
predicted the House would complete
action within q week.
Il think that will allow for liberal
debate" he said.
It was disclosed earlier today that
Senate opponents Of the bill had
switched their strategy-with little
hope of success-in an effort to get
a clearer test of their strength for
retaining the arms embargo.
Senator Clark, Democrat, of Mis-
souri,, said he would try to insert
in the bill the language of the exist
ing law forbidding arms shipments
to belligerents.
He conceded that his amendment
had little chance of adoption, but
said 1t would provide an Affirmative
test instead Of negative or back
door" approach through a motion
to strike out the bills section re-
pealing the embargo.
Administration forces welcomed
the opposition change in plans and
claimed between 60 and 70 votes
for repeal. The opposition conceded
them IS to 90. A majority is 40, pro-
vided all 96 members vote.
Amendments Pile Up.
Senator Clark said he would offer
his embargo-retention proposal after
all other amendments were disposed
of. The time was uncertain, for q
fresh flood of amendments slowed
up floor action yesterday.
The Senate was held in session
more than seven hours yesterday.
but it succeeded in disposing Of only
three more amendments. All were
rejected.
Senator La Toilette, Progressive, Of
Wisconsin lost, 81 to 70, . proposal
to create an Export Control Board
to restrict American exports to bel
lgerents and neutrals to normal
peacetime amounts.
Another amendment. by Senator
Johnson, Democrat, of Colorado to
eliminate presidential discretion tn
making the Neutrality Act effective
when he finds that state Of war q.
lists abroad was rejected, 81 70 -.
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