Evening star., 1939-09-27

recommended Dy
Charles g. Ross. the pro-repeal
Democratic Senators of the Foreign
Relations Committee, will be voted
in both houses of Congress by
substantial majority.
It is possible, of course, that the
apparent majority as of today will
melt away under pressure. Such a
contingency has always got to be
taken into account where the oppos-
ing pressure from the outside is as
vigorous and as emotional as 1t Is
in this fight over the best way to
safeguard the peace Of the United
States. Also to be remembered is
the fact that the opposition to repeal
Is led by some of the best debaters
Of the Senate. Borah, johnson,
Clark Of Missouri, La Toilette, VAN
denberg and Nye compose q re-
doubtable group.
The fact remains, despite the
Hood OF protests against repeal and
despite the ability, sincerity and
staying qualities Of the Senators
just named, that the chances favor
lifting of the embargo.
Pro-Repeal Letters Increase.
Happily for the cause of repeal,
there has been in the last couple Of
days a considerable falling of in the
number of letters and teleRrams
opposing repeal and an increase on
the other side. The ratio at one
time was estimated at about Is to /.
With the ebbing of the torrent, the
proportion has fallen, though prob
ably more than half the messages
are still from persons who want the
arms embargo kept intact. There
has been no direct effort by the
administration to inspire a wire and
mail campaign to counteract the
isolationist drive. Apparently, the
supporters Of repeal have gone into
action on their individual initiative,
and apparently, too, there is now a
far better understanding of the issue
involved.
Many of the messages to Congress
demanding retention Of the embargo
have come from persons of obvious
sincerity who have accepted on
faith, without looking into the other
side, the argument that repeal Of the
embargo would be step toward war.
1t is possible for that view still to be
honestly held after an examination
OF the case for repeal, but those
who intend hereafter to write to
their representatives in Congress
against repeal owe 1t to themselves
to read at least a digest of the pro-
posals which have been drawn up
to carry out the Roosevelt Hull
views and around which the debate
In Congress will center.
Sets Up Safeguards.
They will find in these proposals,
with their strict requirement that
no goods may be shipped to the
warning nations except in foreign
ships. and after a transfer of title
to the goods. a drastic and compre.
hensive system Of anti-war insur.
ance for the United States. It is
not merely the repeal Of the arms
embargo that is being sought. though
this is the crux Of the proposed
law; it is the setting up Of a whole
system Of safeguards against our
being drawn into war.
The opinion of Senator George
OF Georgia-now on the Presidents
side though he was one of the in
tended victims of last years purge"
is typical Of that of most Of the
Senators who will support repeal. In
announcing his position. Senator
George referred to the heavy price
that we propose to pay for neutral
ity, by renouncing our traditional
concepts Of the freedom Of the seas,
but he said the price was worth
paying because 1t would keep us out
Of war.
The character of the bill-its at
tempt not only to repeal the en-
barge but to mend the dangerous
omissions of the present LAWS q
strong card in the hands Of the re-
pealSts. Another that must be con-
sidered in estimating the bills
chances is the alignment with the
President, on this issue, of several
OF the most forceful Of his Demo-
cratic opponents on the general run
Of domestic issues.
Wins Over Anti-New Dealers.
Burke Of Nebraska, who fought
the President from hell to break.
fast" over the court-enlargement
scheme; George and Cotton Ed
Smith of South Carolina, another Of
those whom the President sought to
liquidate in the %purge";; Glass and
Byrd Of Virginia-these Democrats
Of strong anti-New Deal cast are
all lined up for repeal and cash and
carry.
Vice President Garner, though he
has not publicly 30 stated, is throw
ing his great influence on the side
Of repeal.
Another in the same camp Ii
Norris Of Nebraska, one Of the lit
tie group Of Senators who voted
against our entrance into the war
in 1917. Norris Is uniformly . sup
porter Of the President, but he would
not be with him now II he thought
the pending measure carried the
seeds Of war.
Clearly. . bill which these men
Of diverse views, Joining the PreM-
dent and the Secretary Of State,
declare will keep us out Of war
deserves to be studied before IL Il
condemned as q step toward war"