Evening star., 1939-09-25

to tollo1D Presidents request to
repeal embargo before European
| Udr started.
BY G. GOULD LINCOLN.
The administrations neutrality
bill, repeating the present arms en-
barge and setting up a drastic title
and carry plan for all exports to
nations at war, was laid before the
Senate Foreign Relations Commit
tee today by Chairman Pittman.
After discussing the measure
briefly, the committee adjourned
until Thursday morning at the re-
quest OF opponents OF the embargo
repeal. who said they wished an
opportunity to study the new bill.
Chairman Pittman said he hoped
1t would be possible to report the
bill to the Senate by Saturday so
that Senate debate could begin
Monday.
THE bill has for its sole pur-
pose the maintenance of our neu-
trality and keeping us out of war"
Senator Pittman said. Il am sure
it will accomplish it.
This is the first time in our
history a law has been proposed
that absolutely prohibits American
vessels from carrying materials of
any character to belligerent. It
was the loss of American lives and
the destruction of American ships
that led us into the World War.
Under this legislation that can
never happen again."
Whipped Into Shape,
The measure had been whipped
into shape over the week end by
Chairman Pittman and IA Demo-
cratic members of the Foreign Re-
latlons Committee. None of the
minority members of the committee
nor Senator Clark of Missouri, DEM
ocratic opponent of repeal of the
emoargo, was asked to participate.
After the meeting today Senator
Borah, speaking for the foes of re-
peal, said that eventually the con-
test over the neutrality bill would
Doll down to a few questions, prin-
clpally the proposed repeal of the
arms embargo and discretionary
powers granted the President.
The Idaho Senator disclaimed any
intention of filibustering to prevent
an early report to the Senate. I'VE
are not going to keep the bill in
committee merely for the sake Of
keeping it in committee" he said.
But l have always had a prejudice
against voting for bill which
have not read"
There was no contest in the COM
mlttee over the question of adjourn
ing until Thursday.
The new bill is a substitute for
the Bloom bill passed by the House
at the last session, which retained
the arms embargo and was unsatis-
factory to the administration.
Unanimous Action.
Senator Barkley of Kentucky.
majority leader of the Senate. said
the Bloom bill was laid before the
committee today and the new Pitt.
man substitute-now the admins.
tration bill-was offered as a basis
for further consideration. He said
this was done unanimously.
Il think that the postponement
OF further committee meetings un-
til Thursday, asked by opponents of
repeal, was a reasonable request"
commented Senator Barkley. Il be-
lleve that it will facilitate rather
than delay consideration of the bill.
1 know of no disposition on the part
OF any one in the Senate to delay
consideration of this measure"
Senator Barkley made a brief
statement about the committee ac-
ton to the Senate when it convened
at noon, and the Senate promptly
adjourned until Thursday.
Bill Repeals Present Laws.
The new neutrality bill repeals
outright the neutrality laws of 1885
and 1887, sounding the death knell
OF the arms and munitions embargo,
which the President was forced to
make effective against nations in
volved In the European war.
Section of the new bill au-
thorizes the President to proclaim
state of war between nations
whenever he, or Congress by con-
current resolution, shall find q state
OF war existing, and that it Is neces-
sary to preserve the peace of the
United States.
Section (a) is the heart of the
new bill. 1t provides that whenever
the President shall have issued
the proclamation that a state of
war exists between foreign nations,
1t shall thereafter be unlawful for
any American vessel to carry any
passengers or any articles or mate
rials to any state named In ths
proclamation.
An exception is made of trans
portation on lakes, rivers and In.
land waters, bordering on the
United States, and TRANSPORTATION
on or over lands bordering on lands
Of the United States.
Such transportation, however.
shall be governed by regulations
- SSSAAUOA Wy GllC 1ICSlucIlL.
Penalties Provided.
Heavy penalties are provided for
any violations of this carry" pro-
vision Of the bill. Any person con-
victed of violation shall be fined
not more than $4,000 or imprisoned
Tor not more than five years, or
both. If the violation is by q cor
poration or other organizat ton, each
officer or director participating In
the violation shall be liable to the
penalty.
The title" provision of the bill
declares that it shall be unlawful to
export or transport any articles or
materials from the United States to
any belligerent nation until all right
and title therein shall have been
transferred to some foreign govern
(ses NEUTRALITY. Page A-zo
L