Evening star., 1939-05-12
Gillette Plan 10 End
Neutrality Law Wins
Bipartisan Support
Sentiment for Outright
Repeal Is Reported to
White House by Bloom

Americas current efforts to
achiepe neutrality by statute
stemmed primarily out OF Sem
ate committee disclosures OF our
economic inUolDementS in early
stages OF World War. Erpira-
ton of part OF la,D and increas-
Ing intensity OF Uorld crisis
brought Senate and House con-
sideration of neD neutrality
legislation this year. Sharp du-
terences of opinion assure long
fight on issue.
By the Associated Press.
A proposal by Senator Gillette,
Democrat, Of Iowa to repeal the
neutrality law and substitute presi-
dental restrictions on American
shipping in wartime won strong BIZ
partisan support today in the Sen
ate Foreign Relations Committee.
Senator Gillette's resolution,
drawn with the knowledge of the
State Department, but not bearing
it's specific Endorsement, was re-
garded in some quarters as possible
compromise in the confused neu-
trality situation.
At the same time there were au-
thoritative reports the White House
had been informed by Acting Chair
man Bloom of the House Foreign
Affairs Committee that there ap-
peared to be a majority sentiment
in his group for outright repeal of
all neutrality legislation.
Representative Bloom, who con-
ferred recently with President
Roosevelt, is expected to discuss
pending neutrality legislation with
him again soon.
Hope to Postpone Debate.
There were indications, however,
some administration leaders in Con-
gress hope to postpone any debate
on the neutrality question until
European tension abates.
Senator Gillette's proposal re-
ceived immediate approval from
Senators Connally, Democrat, of
Texas. and Johnson, Republican, OF
California. Senator George, Demo-
crat, of Georgia indicated he also
might support it, and Senator White,
Republican. of Maine, said:
It's worth serious consideration
as a possible solution of the neu-
trality problem
On the other hand, Senator La
Toilette, Progressive. of Wisconsin,
one of the leaders of the so-called
mandatory neutrality bloc, voiced
opposition.
Senator Gillette proposed to re-
peal all the present neutrality law
except the sections restricting flnan-
cial dealings with warning nations
and setting up the Munitions Con-
troll Board.
His resolution would give Con-
gress. as well as the President, the
power to determine that a state of
war exists. The President then
would be empowered to fix combat
zones into which American ships
might go or Americans might travel
only at their own risk.
Differs From Pittman Bill.
In this the bill differs from reso-
luton by Chairman Pittman of the
Senate Foreign Relations Commit
tee. which embodies the combat
zone principle but provides penal
ties for those who would send ships
into such zones.
Senator SchWellenbach, Democrat,
of Washington said he thought that
even if ship owners were notified
they sent their vessels into such
zones at their own risk, the sinking
of an American ship might bring
an emotional reaction which would
lead this country into war.
The Gillette proposal would re-
peal the present laws automatic
embargo on the sale of arms to
belligerents, a step authoritatively
reported to be desired by State De-
partment officials.
1t would abandon also the "cash
and carry section which expired
May /. Senator Pittman has pro-
posed that this "cash and carry
principle be extended to cover the
sale of arms to warning nations.
They would be permitted to buy
American munitions for cash, pro-
vided the supplies were transport
ed i'm foreign ships.
BOrah Makes Statement.
Meanwhile, Senator Borah, Re-
publican, of Idaho declared he could