Evening star., 1939-10-09
Neutrality
Continued From First Page.)

week of the neutrality debate, the
movement to amend it to tighten
its effect on American shipping,
which could no longer opes re to
belligerent ports, appeared to be
gaining ground.
Discussed OFF Floor.
Shipping amendments have not
yet taken definite shape, but in
formal discussions off the floor were
going forward and indicated that
an effort to ease the restrictions on
ship movements would draw support
from both sides in the main fight
over embargo repeal.
At the same time, however, Sem
ator Bailey, Democrat, Of North
Carolina, who has taken an active
part in studying the shipping phases
of the bill, made it clear that he
is thinking only of such changes as
would not weaken or nullify the
basic aim of keeping American
ships from being exposed to danger.
Without indicating the specific ma
ture of changes that may be pro-
posed, Senator Bailey, who heads
the Commerce Committee said he
merely wanted to permit American
vessels to go wherever it is deemed
safe for them to go.
The North Carolinian intimated
that some hexibility might be writ
ten into the bill under which this
objective could, be attained.
Senator johnson, a leader of the
anti-repeal bloc, announced he is
strongly in favor of making the
shipping provisions less stringent,
particularly with regard to trans
portation in the Pacific Ocean.
Chairman Pittman of the Foreign
Relations Committee, who said Sat-
urday he did not anticipate any
amendments affecting the move
ment of American vessels, withheld
any further comment today, stat
ing that he would have to see
specific proposals before stating
what his attitude toward them
would be.
Auspicious Time for Peace.
In making his unexpected pro-
posal to stop the debate for three
days to expedite the peace move
ment, Senator johnson said this
"is an auspicious time for peace"
"All America applauded the efforts
for peace the President made before
the war, and it seems to be the gen.
eral sentiment in the Senate that
the time has come to renew those
efforts" the Colorado Senator
added.
Everybody wants to keep out OF
war. Some say we can do it by re-
pealing the embargo and others
say we can do it by keeping the en-
barge, but everybody can agree that
the best way to keep out would be
to end the war. Neutral countries
all over the world are looking to the
United States for leadership. They
are all anxious that the war be
stopped.
According to press reports, one OF
the belligerents has suggested that
the President should act as media
tor. It is significant that this sug-
gestion has come from Germany, q
so-called aggressor nation. The fact
that Germany has made the sug-
gestion would indicate that she will
accept an honorable peace"
q. s. Not Approached.
Secretary Hull told reporters al
his press conference, meanwhile
that the American Government had
not been approached by Germany
Britain or France with regard tc
lnterceding for peace in Europe.
Asked whether the United States
were contemplating any peace move
ne said he had not vet discussed
this matter with his associates.
Resuming his argument in the
Senate against lifting the embargo
Senator Downey declared that the
Monroe Doctrine not only should
keep Europe out of America "but
keep America out of Europe"
He referred also to George Wash
lngton's stand against entangling al
1iances. Touching on the shipping
phases Of the bill, Senator Downey
said EFFORTS are being made to cur.