Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1939-12-22
Loans
Continued From First Page.)

leader, with Bertel Gronblom as
secretary. They are expected to
stay here at least two months.
Hjalmar Procope, Finnish Minister
to the United States, said recently
that his country could hold out
against the Russian invaders indef-
nitely if it could obtain credits for
vitality needed fighting airplanes and
other war materials.
The Stars telegram to the men,
bers of the Senate Foreign Relations
Committee and the House Foreign
Affairs Committee read:
'Discussion here of possibility of a
loan of Is or SO millions to Finland
against that countrys long-term
bonds to enable purchase of military
supplies vitality needed for her con-
tinued defense and the ultimate
security of Scandinavian nations.
Action to be effective must be
prompt and not delayed until Con-
gress convenes." The telegram re-
quested a reply.
The Replies.
Favorable replies were received
from Senators Murray, Democrat, of
Montana; Thomas, Democrat, of
Utah, and Guffey, Democrat, of
Pennsylvania, and Representative
Sol Bloom, chairman of the House
Foreign Affairs Committee: john
son, Democrat, of Texas; Clipper
field, Republican, of Illinois; Kee,
Democrat, of West Virginia, and
Richards, Democrat, of South Caro-
lima.
Sympathy for Finland but oppo-
sition to any foreign loans for mill
tary purposes was expressed by Sem
ator Van Mugs, Democrat, of Indi-
ana, and Gillette, Democrat, of Iowa,
and Representative Fish, Republi-
can, of New York; Arnold, Democrat,
of Illinois, and Schiller, Republican,
of West Virginia.
One of the most vigorously favor
able replies came from Senator
Murray. He said:
Finland has gained a unique po-
sition among nations of the world by
its high standards of international
honesty and good faith. The thrifty,
Woodworking, peaceful people OF
rugged little Finland should have
the sympathy of all loving
nations in their unequal struggle
against overwhelming Russian in
vaders.
Il favor an immediate and rea-
sonable loan to enable Finland to
purchase needed military supplies
for the defense of their country.
The United States should pay this
little tribute of confidence and SYM
pathy to Finland in its desperate
fight to maintain its freedom"
Typical Opposing Reply.
Typical of the opposing replies
was the following from Mr.. Fish,
ranking minority member of the
House Foreign Affairs Committee:
I'm view of the fact that Finland
Is the only European nation to pay
its debts to the United States,
favor giving them food and cloth
ing in their emergency, but am
opposed to making any loans to any
foreign nation to buy arms and
ammunition.
IF we did it for Finland, why not
for England and France? I am
against the whole rotten traffic in
arms and ammunition for blood
money and war profits and thereby
being involved in foreign entangle-
ments and wars"
Among those remaining noncom-
initial was Representative Stearns,
Republican, of New Hampshire. He
said, 1T is worthy cause and a
rather dangerous precedent"
Representative Allen, Democrat,
Of Pennsylvania replied-"Fin-
lands credit with us is good. In
my opinion We should extend credits,
but because of the delicacy of the
situation l believe that Congress
should be consulted"
Finland a "Victim."
Several others who expressed be-
lief that the matter should have
full discussion in Congress before
any action was taken asked that
their names not be used. They said
that military loans to any belliger-
ent nation would set precedent,
possibly opening the way to further
involvement of the United States
in European affairs and that any
such important change in policy
should be studied from all angles
by Congress.
Expressions from those in favor
of immediate military loans to Fin
land included:
Senator Thomas of Utah-"Fin-
land is not belligerent in the
ordinary sense, but a victim of
aggression. Therefore, I favor the
proposed loan
Senator Guffey-"If there is ex-
listing authority which would permit
the immediate loan of $25 900 900 or
$50,000,000 by this country to that
valiant nation, Finland, I am heart
lily in favor of doing so. This coun-
try should do everything possible
and consistent to help the great
people of that nation"
Representative Bloom-"The pos
sibility of the United States making
a loan to Finland against that coun-
try's long-term bonds so as to en-
able the purchase of necessary sup
plies vitality needed for her con-
tinued defense and the ultimate
security Of Scandinavian nations Is,