Evening star., 1939-03-26
Neutrality
Continued From First Page. J

"
plan of its own, permitting sale of
all kinds of materials, including
arms and munitions, for cash to any
of the belligerents. provided they
convey them out of this country in
other than American-fag ships.
Senator Pittman said he sees no
distinction between selling arms and
munitions to belligerent nations and
selling the materials that 60 into
the making of arms and munitions,
such as oil. cotton and steel He be-
lieves adoption of his proposal would
mechanically provide a neutral posi-
ton for this country, since any
nation with the cash and the ships
may purchase anything it wishes
from the United States. Title to
these materials and arms, however,
must pass from American citizens
to foreign agency before the goods
leave the United States.
The Pittman bill contains other
important provisions, including au-
thority for the President to proclaim
''areas of combat operations in the
event of foreign conflict through
which it shall be unlawful for Amer
lean citizens and American ships to
pass.
Outright Repeal Sought.
Bills offered by Senators Lewis,
Democrat, of Illinois, and King,
Democrat, of Utah provide for re-
peal of existing neutrality laws
without endeavoring to provide any
substitute. The Lewis bill does, how
ever, provide that the policy of
neutrality of the United States
shall be executed" from time to
time by executive orders issued by
the President.
Senator Thomas, Democrat, of
Utah has proposed an amendment
to the Neutrality Act which would
permit the President to lift an en-
barge of shipments to nation at
war with another which has violated
a treaty to which the United States
is a party, provided Congress gives
Its approval. This resolution has
been regarded as representing, at
least in part, the view of the ad-
ministration.
And, finally. Senator Nye, Repub-
lican, of North Dakota, one of the
sponsors of the existing Neutrality
Act, has a joint resolution which
would prevent shipment of arms and
munitions in time of peace as we'll as
in time of war, except to nations
on the American Continents en-
gagged in war against a non-Amer-
lean state or states"
Avoids Political Tangles.
Senator Pittman said his bill is a
simple administrative measure
which would 60 into effect auto
matically within 80 days after out
break of war, declared or unde-
clared, between foreign nations. 1t
Is, he said, distinct from any "po-
litical" measure which might give
the President authority to distin-
ruish between belligerent nations,
either to declare one the aggressor
or to permit shipments OF materials
to one and not to another.
IT hope" said Senator Pittman,
shat in the consideration OF neu-
tralitv legislation these two different
ouestions-one of simple admlnl-
stration and the other political-be
kept separate, and that the COM
mittee will not endeavor to cover
both in a single measure"
The chairman added, however, he
had not closed his mind to legisla-
ton granting the President discre-
tionary powers over embargoes in the
event of a foreign war. He will. he
indicated. decide his position later.
At present, he is intent on obtaining
the passage, if he can, of his Peace
Act of 1939.'
Vandenberg Expresses View.
Senator Vandenberg, Republican,
of Michigan said yesterday he be-
lieved any attempt by administration
forces to obtain legislation granting
the President further discretionary
powers in the matter of embargOeS
in time of war, or in the matter of
designating aggressor nations, would
be overwhelmingly defeated in
Congress.
While admitting that the Pittman
bill would give an advantage to
France and England in the event of
war in Europe, since they presum-
ably will control the seas, Senator
Vandenberg argued such a law would
give all the advantage in the Pa
cific Ocean to the japanese as
against the Chinese.
Senator Pittman. on the other
hand, believes the advantage would
70 to China, and not Japan, al
though shipments of arms and
materials would have to go to
China via the European route In