The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-12-20

S ~AaS AW1bHSA SShlSssAAJ
 "its all right" he said, If
 you want Co turn over those gas
 masks you Arc making for us
 tO the Finnish government.
 They need them in e hurry,
 and we can walt"
 The Films will pay for the masks, but they will get masks originally ordered for tho U. s. Army. The Army also is per. iflitting other material, ordered but not needed Immediately, to Do sold to the Films.
 However, ono weapon which the Films will not got, but which they need badly, iB the latest type of U. 6. anti.slrcraft gun.
 Finnish Minister Procopc has asked the help of the War De- pertinent iii securing these guns, but the War Department is bound by law not to sell them. There Is no way to make Oil excep- ton without ai1 act Of Congress.
 The Army's anti.aircraft gun is rated about the finest in tho world, though it has been learned since the war started that the German gun is just as good, If not of similar design. There is suspicion in some quarters that the German gun is patterned af- ter tho U. 6. gun, though how tho NaziS got the plans remains q mystery.
 OvERDRAWN NEUTRALITY
 Last week tho Riggs National Bank in Washington notified a member Of tho British embassy staff that he was nine dollars ovordrawf and that he would have to pay up immediately or else the bank would Dc in violation Of the Neutrality Act.
 The act prohibits extension of credits to belligorent governments on penalty Of S60,000 fine and five years in Jail. and the bank feared it might incur this penalty If it extended nine dollars in credit to the British secretary.
 This serupulous observance Of the law Is tho general policy of banks in Washington. For ifi- stance. should an attaeho Of the French embassy deposit his sal. ary check with c local bank, the bank now refuses t0 credit him with that money until about three weeks later. whoii it has had time to receive the money from Paris.
 If tho bank credited the deposit to the diplomats account inc mcdiateiy, it would Dc extending credit to him, thereby violating the Neutrality Act.
 All Of which indicates how strictly tho revised neutrality law B being enforced,
 WHITE HOUSE RECEPTION
 IIighlights Of thc recent Dip- iomatic Reception, where ambas- sad0fs of warning countries stood
 almost shoulder to shoulder to
 greet the President;
 Warmest greeting Roosevelt gave to any diplomat went to Finnish Minister Procopc; coidest 10 the Russian and German efiVoyB .... When the Finnish minister shook hands, Roosevelt felt his muscle, patted him on the back, pulled him down (the President was seats ed and whispered ifi his ear .. With Russian Ainbassador Ouman- sky, the President was dignified and formal. All he gaid was: How do yOu d07" His greeting to Hans Thonisefi, charge d'af. fares of tho German embassy was similar.
 Frau Thomsen, in pale pink chiffon, trimmed with crystals, was one of the most attractive women present =. The Russian delegation looked strained, as fl passing through c tough ordeal. =. Ainbassador Ouriansky spent most of his time talking to Late vian Minister Milinanis, whose country has yielded to the Soviet. Simply dripping with pearls was Mrs. Joe Davies, breakfast food heiress and wife of the re- gently resigned AmbaAsador to Del- giuni Madame Secretary Perkins went in on the arm of bachelor Attorney General Prank Murphy This was the first reception at which Che President remained seated. Previously he has leaned against c bank of ferns in which was concealed . solid support .: :. Shaking hands with 700 people is always Q strain. especially when the President had to stand for two hours: ~ tllis reception hs