Evening star., 1939-09-07
The Political Mill
Special Session Involves Danger Of Outspoken
Dissension and UnweIcome Legislation

existing neutrality laws, are anxious
to strengthen them further, thereby
tying the hands of the President
more effectively than they are tied
now.
With an intense desire on the
part of America generally not to be-
come involved in the European war,
there Is no telling what measures
designed to prevent participation of
this country in the conflict may be
introduced and supported, irrespec-
tive Of the desires of the admins
tration.
Furthermore, a lengthy debate on
the foreign situation and the foreign
relations of this country might fol-
low Immediately the convening OF
Congress. At this time, the admin
istration believes and many Amer
leans agree, the country should show
a united front to the world outside
and a congressional debate might
give different impression.
The desire to keep this country
out of war, now so strong, is allied
in the minds of many with desire
to be able to provide the European
democracies, Great Britain and
France, with all the supplies they
need to carry on the war. The pres
ent embargo, just made effective by
proclamation of the President under
the terms of the neutrality laws, will
prevent these allied nations from
obtaining airplanes and their parts,
and arms and munitions of all kinds,
from this country.
Embargo Meets Protests.
The President has declared he will
do his utmost to keep this country
neutral is, to keep 1t from
taking part in the war But it is
clear he does not consider the pres
ent embargo against the sale of
arms and munitions to the belliger-
ent nations neutral act. Many
Americans insist that the embargo
is great hardship upon the nations
engaged in war with Nazi Germany
and they want it done away with
Senator Austin of Vermont, a Re-
publican member of the Senate
Military Committee. goes so far as
to say that the neutrality laws must
be repealed or so amended as to
enable the American Government to
put the full weight OF its moral and
economic assistance at the disposal
Of France and England. Such a
step, he holds. is necessary to halt
the aggression OF the collectivist
governments.
Ohio's favorite son for the Repub-
lican presidential nomination, Sena-
tor Robert A. Taft, has come out
with a statement that he favors re-
peal Of the embargo. 50 that arms
and munitions may be sold to the
belligerent nations but with pro-
viso that the purchasers must pay
cash and carry the goods away In
ships of their own-not American
ships. Senator White OF Maine, Re-
publican and member OF the For
eign Relations Committee, is quoted
as saying that this country must be
kept out Of war. But at the same
time he expresses the prevailing
sympathy for the cause OF Great
Britain and France and Poland in
the present war.
Profiteering . Growing Factor.
While the return Of Congress to
Washington at this time might re-
semble the opening of Pandoras
box. it is becoming increasingly clear
that something may have to be done
quickly if prof1teering in foodstuf1s
and other necessities is to be pre-
vented. Already there has been
wide buying of supplies on the
theory that prices will 60 up-which
in itself tends to make them go up.
And already prices of some COM
modities have advanced consider
ably. The Department of Justice is
studying the problem Of additional
laws to prevent war profiteering.
Only Congress can enact them.
Presumably the President will test
the sentiment of the country and
will consult with congressional lead
ers before he makes a decision when
and If to call Congress back to
Washington.