Evening star., 1939-10-20
Safety, Neutrality
To Fix Extent,
He Says
Nv the Associated Press.

President Roosevelt took the posi-
ton today that the limits OF United
States territorial waters are flexible,
varying from three to hundreds OF
miles, depending on the clrcum-
stances under which the limits are
created
In the case of belligerent sub
marines, which have been barred
from American ports or territorial
waters, the President said at a press
conference that the limit OF such
waters was miles.
In the case of rum runners IN
prohibition days, he said it was l5O
miles.
In the case of the neutrality pa
troll he added, the limit is farther
out, roughly within the safety zones
laid down at the recent Panama
conference of the 81 American re-
publics. That zone extends at least
300 miles out. But in any event,
Mr.. Roosevelt asserted. the terri
torial limits are in accordance with
specific cases involving safety and
neutrality.
Not Applicable to Subs.
At a recent press conference ne
had asserted that territorial waters
extended as far as American inter-
ests required.
A reporter suggested that this rule
apparently did not apply in the
case of submarines of nations at
war.
Not in this case, the Chief Execu-
tive answered. In this case 1t is
under the definite, old international
law of Smile limit.
In the case of the rum-runnlng
of six years ago, he went on, the
limit was fixed at such distance of
the coast. since rum-runnerS could
lie to and send their liquor ashore
in small boats, or as far as small
boats could go out to the ships and
take the liquor back to shore.
When it comes to the question OF
the neutrality patrol, he said, we
20 out as far as necessary, as we
are not bound by the rule OF 3-mile
limit.
Evades Query on Surface Ships.
The President did not answer di-
rectly a question whether there was
any possibility of placing restric-
tions on surface ships similar to
those imposed on submarines.
He said he did not think the two
were analogous-that it was like
trying to add apples and pears,
which were different things.
He said, too, he had seen no In
dications that the other American
republics would bar submarines from
their ports or territorial waters.
A reporter wanted to know on
what basis a differentiation had
been made between submarines and
surface warships. The Chief Execu-
tive replied that it was made under
the language of the Neutrality Act,
which speaks of submarines "or"
merchant ships.
And in response to a question
about the difference between COM
mercial and war submarines, he re-
ferred again to the same language
of the act, adding that he could not
recall offhand whether it said
armed merchant ships or not.
Questioned on Navy Orders.
Another question sought to de-
termine whether any special orders
had been issued to the Navy or
Coast Guard for enforcement OF the
restrictions on submarines.
The President said that he did not
know, but that he imagined copies
of the proclamation setting up the
restrictions had been sent to the
Navy, Coast Guard and also to the
Army.
Mr.. Roosevelt talked with report
ers shortly after reaching his home
here. He came up from Washing
ton on special train to spend the
week end He said he expected no
official callers during his visit and
that he would have little news.
The President brought with him
the Bible which King George OF
England gave to st. James Epis-
copal Church, where the British
King and Queen worshiped last June
IL with the President and Mrs.
Roosevelt. Special services will be
held at the church Sunday to dedi-
cate the Bible and Mr.. Roosevelt,
who is senior warden, probably will
attend vestry meeting after the
serviceS