Evening star., 1940-05-19

Stay Out Of War
P|anks Necessary,
Senate Leaders Agree
Several Members Of
Both Parties in Accord
On Campaign Pledges
Hy the Annotated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
As Germany's lightning drive into
France intensified discussion of pos
sible foreign policy planks In the
forthcoming party platforms, several
Senate leaders agreed yesterday that
both Democrats and Republicans
would have to promise to stay out
of European wars.
Senator Wheeler of Montana, an
aspirant for the Democratic presi-
Dental nomination, told reporters
his party would have to convince
the people that there would be no
repetition of the Woodrow Wilson
days
I'VE should always remember, !"
Senator Wheeler declared, that we
Democrats ran on a platform that
we would keep out of the World
War and shortly thereafter we went
in to make the world safe for de-
mocracy."
Senator Minton of Indiana, an
administration supporter, said that
"it would be folly for us to become
involved as belligerents" in the
European conflict and that Demo-
Gratis might we'll pledge a foreign
policy involving defense of our own
shores and of this hemisphere"
Gillette Favors Positive Pledge.
Senator Gillette of Iowa said he
saw nothing now or "in the rea-
sonably near future" which would
force us into either an offensive or
defensive war" He suggested that
the Democrats pledge that I'VE will
stay out of European wars" rather
than that I'VE will try to stay out. I"
But Senator Pepper of Florida de-
clared There isn't any way to tell
what should be in the Democratic
platform until 1t comes time to write
it.
theoretically, we might be in the
process Of being invaded by that
time" he added.
The Democrats, said Senator Mil
ler, Democrat; of Arkansas, should
make IAN emphatic promise not to
engage in the European war unless
the war is brought to the Western
Hemisphere"
Austin Would Aid Democracies.
On the Republican side, Senator
Austin of Vermont took the view
that "our peace and safety depend
upon the democracies winning" the
present conflict and that I'VE thus
should do everything in our power
short of war to aid the democra-
cies."
Republicans, Senator Austin de-
clared, should make no commit
ments that would burn our bridges
or render us bound to some course
OF action In a future whose require
ments we can not know at present" +"
Then he added:
Treating the people of America
as children In this crisis will lick
any political party that tries it..
Americans are brave and strong
enough to face any realities that
may be involved"
Senator Nye of North Dakota
said Republicans should favor a
strong American defense but should
pledge that it would be used only
to protect the Western Hemisphere
He added that the party might
agree to accept any losses Of inter-
national trade which would be in
volved In such a program.
Besides the Washington platform
speculation, politicians found inter-
est IN President RooseveIt's victory
over Vice President Garner in Ore
CONS political preference primary
Friday. With Oregon's 10 votes In
the Democratic National Conven-
ton, plus the 80 pro-Roosevelt dele
gates New Jersey is expected to
select in next Tuesdays primary,
the Chief Executive will need only
13 additional votes to give him an
assured majority of 548 in the con-
vention.