Evening star., 1939-03-19
Neutrality Proposal
Puts All j. ). Goods
On Cash-Ca Basis

VuVuSII'UoIIIDoSO
Pittmon to Offer Plan;
War Vote Move to
Be Expedited
BACKGROUND
The genesis OF neutrality legis-
ldtion in the United States is
found fve years ago, Dhen the
sDorld ,0as cdln1er and the temper
of its leaders less belligerent.
With the gro1Dth OF the ,Dar-like
spirit abroad, President Roosevelt
has gipen increasing indications
OF his 1Dish to hare amended the
ldWS tDhich govern his actions
to,Ddrd belligerent nations.
By the Associated Press.
Senator Pittman, Democrat, OF
Nevada, chairman of the Senate
Foreign Relations Committee, pro-
posed yesterday revision of the neu-
trality legislation so as to prevent
the sale of any American products
to warning nations except on cash
and carry" basis.
He announced he would submit a
resolution tomorrow to repeal exist
ing neutrality legislation and sub
stitute the new program.
Senator Pittman, who often speaks
$nv> thu eNvSe ,iefro
policy matters, said he had not dis
cussed his resolution with President
Roosevelt or the State Department,
but that he thought 1t would be
more acceptable to the President
than other neutrality proposals
which have been advanced.
In response to question as to
whether the legislation would
strengthen Great Britains position
in event of European war, Senator
Pittman replied:
ANY nation that controls the sea
would have the advantage under this
resolution. OF course, we can not
be sure who will control the sea in
wartime"
Not Outgrowth of Crisis.
The Foreign Relations Committee
chairman said he had been working
on the legislation for some time, and
that 1t was not an outgrowth of
Germany's recent seizure of Czecho-
Slovakian provinces.
He added that the legislation was
not intended as a part of any stop
Hitler" program.
Senator Pittman's announcement,
coupled with President Roosevelt's
statement yesterday that the neu-
tarlity law should be revised, raised
the prospect that what attitude this
country should take toward wars
overseas would occupy Congress at
tention increasingly in the weeks to
come
Spurred by American reaction to
Hitler's march into -Sslo-
vakia, supporters of a war referen-
dunn amendment decided to seek
speedy consideration of their pro-
posal on the floors of Congress.
In this move they won the back
Ing of Senator Borah, Republican,
OF Idaho, who said he favored bring
ing into the Senate for debate a
resolution introduced by IL Sena-
tors.
Borah Sees Some Revision.
I'm for the principle behind this
resolution" Senator Borah declared,
adding, however, that he believed
fhara YSy1cf hn
The proposed amendment would
require an acquiescent vote of the
people before Congress could de-
clare war, except In case of inva-
sion or threat of invasion of the
Western Hemisphere by a hostile
power.
Senator Clark, Democrat, of
Idaho, one of a dozen Senators who
introduced it. said he was convinced
American public opinion was more
than ever in favor of the war refer
endum proposal because of the dis
turbing events in Europe.
Letters are pouring in every day
IN favor of this amendment" Sena-
tor Clark said, land I have yet to
receive communication of any
kind against it,"
Hearings to Be Arranged.
The referendum proposal has en-
countered outspoken opposition from
both President Roosevelt and Secre-
tary of State Hull. They have con-
tended that it would not be workable
and would hamper the Government
IN time of crisis. A similar proposal
narrowly was defeated in the House
last session.
Senator La Toilette, Progressive,
OF Wisconsin, a co-author, said pro-
ponents of the measure expected to
arrange soon for hearings before
a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee
headed by Senator Hatch, Democrat,
Of New Mexico. Senator La Toilette
expressed the opinion that once de-
bate on the proposal opened in Con-
gress there would be a strong de-
mand from citizens for adoption of
the amendment.
Senator Hatch, who has voiced op-
position to the proposal, said full
hearings would be conducted when
proponents were ready.
The New Mexico Senator ex-
pressed belief that when public re-
action to the events in Europe
chrystalized there would be a trend
against any legislation that might
tie the hands of Congress and the
President in time of crisis.