Evening star., 1939-05-10

The 1Dar referendum proposal,
1Uhich Mould require a constitu-
tional amendment, Uas pigeon
holed in the House last session
after President Roosevelt and
Secretary OF State Hull had er-
pressed opposition to it. 1t UGs
reuiDed this session by Senator La
Toilette, Progressive, of Wiscon-
sin and II other Senators.
By the Associated Press.
Senator La Toilette, Progressive
of Wisconsin today challenged ad-
ministration opposition to a war
referendum proposal, declaring "ab-
surd fears" had been raised against
it.
There is nothing in the pending
proposal which will cripple any
President in his conduct of our for-
eign policy so long as that policy is
not to be implemented in the end
by involving this Nation in an Of
fensive war overseas" Senator La
Toilette said in a statement read
before a Senate Judiciary Subcom-
mittee
The proposal would require vote
of the people before Congress could
declare war, except in the case Of
invasion or threatened invasion of
the Western Hemisphere or when
the United States was called on 10
defend its possessions.
IT do not believe that there is
validity in the proposition that there
are effective measures short of
war" Senator La Toilette said, but
if there are those who take an oppo
site view, this proposal for a refer
endum on foreign war will strength
en- and buttress that position"
Taken at Their Word.
President Roosevelt told Congress
in January there were measures
short of war" which this country
might use in discouraging aggression
throughout the world
I'm short" Senator La Toilette
continued, this joint resolution
takes at their word spokesmen for
the administrations foreign policy
who maintain that this policy does
not involve any danger or risk of
war"
Chairman Hatch of the Senate
Judiciary Subcommittee which is
studying the proposal has termed
it unwise. Senator Miller. Demo
crat. of Arkansas. subcommittee
member, said he would have to be
convinced there were valid reasons
for limiting the power of Congress
to declare war.
BOrah Likes Principle.
The third member, Senator Borah
Republican, of Idaho said the prin-
ciple involved appealed strongly to
him, but he was not sure that it
would work.
Senator La Toilette argued in his
statement that Congress has little
power to interrupt course of di-
plomacy which may lead to war
pointing out that it can do little but
follow the lead of a President who
asks for a declaration of war. Thus
he said, representative government
J is not we'll served.
ANY one who raises the issue
that this proposal will weaken OF
strengthen any group in Europe
must do 50 upon the ground that we
are to implement our foreign policy
by active military support with an
expeditionary force upon foreign
SOIL" Senator La Toilette said.
Morris L. Ernst, New York attor.
ney, argued before the committee
that the proposal was logical de-
velopment" of the democratic proc.
esses. He testified after Senator La
Toilette read his statement.
This proposal. in essence the
lawyer said, lis nothing but that the
Congress share the responsibility fol
men dying on foreign soil in an ag-
gressive war"
Rose Wilder Lane, author, tole
the committee she considered thu
proposed amendment an instrument
of veto power which should bs
placed in the hands of the people.