Evening star., 1939-07-19
Next Neutrality
Move Depends
On Europe
Revision Is Dropped
For This Session at
White House PorIey
BACKGROUND

Efforts TO guarantee American
neutrality by statute date from
findings OF special Senate COM
mittee that commercial entangle-
mentS Uere largely instrumental
for draWing us into World War.
Administration no,D seeks modif-
cation OF neutrality statute to
dllop erecutire greater diScre-
ton, but iSolntioniSt bloc has led
successful fight in opposition.
With neutrality law revision aban-
doned for the present session of
Congress, the course of European
developments of the next few
months apparently will be the key
to whether a special session will be
summoned in the fall or whether
administration friends and foes will
carry their fight directly to the
country.
A plain threat that either or both
courses might be followed was evil
dent today in the wake of last
nights extraordinary White House
conference between Mr.. Roosevelt.
Secretary of State Hull and Senate
leaders of both Democratic and Re-
publican parties. 1t was after this
meeting that official announcement
was made that the legislative fight
over the Neutrality Act. particularly
the administrations desired repeal
of the arms embargo, would be de-
ferred until the next session OF Con-
gress.
In discussing the development to-
DAY, Mr.. Roosevelts press secretary,
Stephen Early. made clear that the
President has given thought to call
ing a special session in the fall and
that if a crisis should develop in
Europe after the summer adjourn
ment he will not hesitate to call such
session.
Sees Responsibility Senate's.
Mr.. Early did not reply positively
to questions as to whether Mr..
Roosevelt would take his fight to
the country at large, either through
a fireside radio talk or during his
proposed Western trip.
I'm certain of one thing" the
secretary remarked, that from the
time Congress adjourns until it re-
convenes in January the President
will pray as never before in all his
life that there will be no new crisis
in Europe
According to some persons present
at last nights meeting, Mr.. Roose-
welt expressed an intention to take
the controversy to the country. dur
ing a heated discussion with Senator
Borah, Republican, of Idaho, one of
the Senates most outspoken critics
of administration foreign policy.
Mr.. Early said he was in doubt
whether the President would tell
the Nation his neutrality views on
his forthcoming trip to the Pacific
Coast The reason for his doubt,
the secretary explained, was that
Senate Democratic Leader Barkley
and Republican Leader McNary,
with Senator Borah concurring,
S'have told the country that RESPONSE
bility for not enacting any neutrality
is the Senate's as a body"
Foes Would Meet Challenge.
Chairman Pittman of the Senate
Foreign Relations Committee, who
attended the conference last night,
said he did not think any fight Mr.
Roosevelt might make would take
the form of President Wilson's IA
nous campaign for the League of
Nations.
Mr.. Wilson stumped the Nation
for support of the League.
On the other hand Senator
Pittman said, lit would be quite nat
ural for him in any speeches he
might make in regard to the general
welfare to express his position with
regard to neutrality legislation"
Senator Barkley told reporters he
had gained the impression that
Mr.. Roosevelt would not wage
campaign in behalf of views but that
he might refer to the neutrality
problem in his speeches.
Similarly, Senator Austin, Repub-
lican, of Vermont said he had first
gathered that Mi. Roosevelt intended
to make a fight on the issue but as
the conference progressed he came
to believe the Chief Executive would
not undertake vigorous campaign
Some Senators said that should
the President carry his side of the
controversy to the people, they would
be prompt to accept the challenge.
Among these was Senator john
son. Republican, of California, an
Adamant opponent of administration
neutrality proposals. who told re-
porters that ''if the President does
go to the country, we'll 60, too. Well
go on the slogan that this country
wants no war"
Senator Borah was described as
making it clear last night that he
would never agree to repeal of the
arms embargo, with further impli-
cation that he would be among those
going to the country" if such
tactics should be initiated.
At the three hour conference in
which Secretary Hull supported
him. Mr.. Roosevelt was reported to
have argued that the Senate's fail
ure to act would weaken United
States influence in preserving world
peace.
But before the meeting broke up
Just before midnight, the Senators
and Vice President Garner had per-
suaded both the Chief Executive
and his Secretary of State that Con-
gress has no disposition to spend
month or more debating neutrality
Mr.. Early said information pro-
vided by the foreign service indi-
Gated that possibly there would be
some crisis before the regular time
(See NEUTRALITY, Page A-3D