Evening star., 1939-11-04
DeIimitotion Of War
Zone Also Due
Today
BY JOHN C. HENRY.

@teSIueAt rtOOSeVelt signed the
neutrality bill at 1904 pm. today,
embarking the Nation on new rules
OF conduct which he said returned
1t to its historic position of neutral
lty while Europe is at war.
Immediate operation of the re.
vlsed statute, by which the long,
controverted arms embargo is re-
pealed, was effected by issuance of
lmplementing proclamations at the
same moment the bill was signed.
One OF these, general declara.
ton OF the Nations neutrality, pro.
claimed that a state of war exists
between Germany on the one hand
and France, Poland, the United
Kingdom, India, Australia, Canada.
new zealand and South Africa, The
other prescribed strict regulations
Tor entrance of belligerent subma.
rlnes into American ports or terri.
torial waters.
In this conflict, according to the
proclamation, the United States is
to follow certain positive policies
OF neutrality and to forbid certain
practices by belligerents within
American territorial Jurisdiction.
Third to Be Issued Today.
A third and more inclusive procla-
nation, defining combat areas from
which American shipping is to be
barred, was to be issued later in the
day. Details of the cash-and-carrv
requirements for belligerant pur-
chases were expected to be included
In this third presidential pronounce
ment.
One or more additional proclama-
tlons may be found necessary, a
question which Secretary of State
Hull discussed this morning with
representatives of the War, NAVY,
Justice and Commerce Departments
and the Maritime Commission.
Present at the historic signing
ceremony at the White House were
Vice President Garner, Secretary
Hull and eight congressional lead.
ers. Headed by Speaker Bankhead,
this group included Senate Majority
Leader Barkley, Minority Leader
McNary, Chairman Pittman of the
Senate Foreign Relations Commit.
tee, Senator Byrnes of South Caro-.
lima, House Majority Leader Ray.
burn, Chairman Bloom of the House
Foreign Affairs Committee and
Representative Bolant of Pennsyl-
vania, the Democratic whip.
Senator Austin, Republican, of
vermont, an embargo repeal advo-
cate, and House Minority Leader
Martin and Representative Wads-
worth. Republican, of New York also
had been invited, but were unable
to attend.
Asks to Confer With Three.
As the brief ceremony of af1ixinR
his name to the new law was COM
pleted, the Chief Executive asked
Senators Barkley and McNary and
Representative Rayburn to remain
for a conference with him on the
matter of their availability during
the recess Of Congress between now
and January 2.
When the special session convened
on September 81 the President re.
vealed that he had asked congress
sional leaders to remain in Wash.
ington or be readily available after
the session ended for consultations
on further American policies during
Europe's war.
As today's developments brought
into operation new rules of foreign
policy, Secretary Hull issued a
formal statement expressing his
personal satisfaction with the re-
vised act and his belief that it will
keep the Nation at peace. His state
ment follows:
Il am naturally gratified with the
basic changes made in the so-called
neutrality legislation. Throughout
this year the executive department
has urged prompt enactment of these
basic changes and, prior to the out
break of the war, pleaded with all
nations to preserve peace and refrain
from war.
Il desire to repeat with emphasis
what have consistently said here
tofore to the effect that our first
(see NEUTRALITY, Page A-9J