Evening star., 1939-10-15
Domestic Front

While American Intervention In Baltic
crisis was most arresting domestic devel-
opment, there were others of importance
For instance, War Department re-
vealed plans for concentration Of all
mobile combat units of Regular Army
into five "streamNned" divisions for
special war games. Most Of maneuvers,
to be conducted on unprecedented peace
time scale, will take place in South in
spring.
That expansion Of training plans Is
not all gingerbread" was indicated also
by War Department in announcement
that 250,000 National Guardsmen win
be subjected to "speed-up" program Of
learning business Of fighting.
Further personnel increases to bring
army strength in all categories up to
600, 900 was indicated.
Convincing was demonstration of Army
ordnance at Aberdeen Proving Ground.
Trotting out best and
y. ,. Army newest equipment, Army
Proves Fitness gunners battered tanks.
pillboxes, air targets.
Witnesses came away with opinion
American arms were second to none in
quality; wondered about quantity.
Initial test in terms of votes on ad.
ministration's neutrality legislation came
in Senate last Tuesday; resulted in 65-to-
26 victory for administration.
Vote was taken on motion Of Senator
Tobey, New Hampshire Republican, to
split measure, act Immediately on title
and carry" section, defer for full debate
embargo repeal and other provisions.
AS previously indicated, party lines
dissolved on vote to leave 81 Democrats.
49,, 7 Repu blicans
Administration Wins and 1ndepend-
Neutrality Test ent Norris block
ing proposed
partition Of legislation; favoring were IS
Republicans, 8 Democrats, Farmer-La-
borite and Progressive.
Only modification in administration
measure now considered at all likely Is
relaxation of contemplated restrictions
on American shipping. In steady pro-
cession shipping officials have moved
into Washington to protest automatic
ban on American shipping in seas far
from Europe, even though to ports un-
der belhgerent control. Instead. they
pleaded, give President discretion to i'm
pose such restriction when, as and II
marine areas might fall into classifica-
ton of combat zones"
Late in week, Chairman Pittman Of
Senate Foreign Relations Committee,
sponsor Of administration bill, indicated
willingness to permit relaxing of ship
ping provision on three conditions-that
there must appear little danger to lives
of American seamen, that goods being
shipped must be licensed by National
Munitions Control Board. that President
retain discretion to suspend such ship
ping operations.
Dear to heart of Secretary of State
Hull is reciprocal trade treaty program.
Jeopardised by war;
lrode Iseot'es particularly as bellig.
Slowed Up erent nations have im-
posed trade restric-
tions not only on own commerce, but that
of other belngerents and of neutrals,
programs future was in some doubt.
In effect as war began were Il pacts
with 20 countries, Canada being party to
two. Slowed up only momentarily, State
Department more recently has under
taken negotiations with Chile, Venezuela,
Argentina for initial agreements with
these Southern neighbors: with Cuba
and Belgium for supplements to out
standing pacts.
I'VE shall neglect no opportunity
whenever it may present itself, to ex-
pand the area Of our negotiations" tho
tall Tennesseean told National Foreign
Trade Convention at New York on Tues
day.
At Friday press conference. Mr. Roose-
welt disclosed that use Of American gold
surplus for Latin American credit pur-
poses or as stabilizing agent In Latin
American banking systems has been un-
der consideration. For one or two
countries. he said, idea Is just short of
negotiation stage.