The Wilmington morning star., 1940-06-02
u. S. ARMY CHIEF
SEES DANGER
Continued from Page One)

might be. But Senator Minton of
Indiana, the democratic whip, had
expressed belief to neWsmen pre-
viously that the president might
have in mind the possibility of
having to occupy British, French
and Dutch possessions in the new
world if the Allies were defeated.
If need for such action arose,
Minton said, regular troops would
have to be used and the National
Guard called out to man defenses
in the continental United States.
General MarshalI's statement
failed to quiet criticism of the
presidential request among senate
members. On hearing of it, Sen
ator Wheeler D-Mont.) declared:
1T isn't any wonder that I am
getting many kilograms asking if
it is the intention of the president
and congress to get us into wal
when statements are issued indi-
eating it may be necessary be-
tween now and the time congress
returns that the National Guard
be called to active duty.
''This Propaganda"
This propaganda to stampede
the people of this country into a
war hysteria ought to be stopped,
and the people who are opposed
to war ought to let their congress
man and the administration know
about it."
Senators George D-Ga) and
Austin (R-Vt.). both supporters of
the presidents foreign policy,
joined senators ~forecasting tt a t
congress might remain in session
continuously as a result of the re-
quest for authority to summon the
guard to active duty.
Calling the request apparently
unwarranted," George told report
ers:
eff the president seriously in
sists on this request, 1 think con-
gress will say: MIR. President, if
there is an emergency of this ma
ture in the ofing, of which the
country now knows nothing, we will
stay here to meet it."
Senator Austin, the assistant Re-
publican leader, declared:
IT think we will be here all sum-
mer before we grant that power.
There will have to be some justi-
fication that doesn't appear now
before. congress will be willing to
do it, in my Judgment"
Another senator suggested pri-
vately that the president might be
seeking greater control over the
citizen soldiers in an effort to
stamp out alleged fifth column"
activities within the guard.
This senator said he had heard
reports that communist and fas-
cist activities were widespread
within the ranks of the guard in
one state, which he did not name.
About 225, 900 Men
The National Guard, which has
d present strength of about 225, 900
men and Is, 1000 officers, is distinct
from the regular army and is sup
ported jointly by federal and state
governments.
War department officials S a i d
that the president now has auth
GRITTY to call the guard to active
duty for either of two purposes:
IN ponnf u fhrnotnnnI ioyo sion.
2, to deal with i~nsurrection and
disorder.
In the event that congress de-
clares a national emergency to eX-
ist, they added. the president can
under existing law call the guard
out for any purpose.
President Roosevelt's request,
sent to congress yesterday in a
message recommending more than
a billion dollars more for national
defense, was for authority to call
to duty ''such portion of the Ma
tional Guard as may be deemed
necessary to maintain our position
of neutrality and to safeguard the
c~ational Defense" l
Other developments today bear
ing on the defense program includ-
ed:
1. Rep. Dies D-Texas) proposed
Legislation to dissolve the commu-
mist party and the German-Amer-
lean bund on the ground they were
%controlled from Moscow and Ber-
lin. He suggested also that Presi-
dent Roosevelt create a council
Of home defense" to coordinate
anti-ffth column activities under
sane leadership"
Could Turn Tide
2. After a visit with President
Roosevelt, Senator Pepper D-Fla)
expressed belief that the United
States could turn the tide of war
fare in Europe by permitting the
Allies to purchase airplanes and
other equipment O on hand and
which the army and navy can
spare. Pepper is the author of leg
islation which would authorize the
president to take such action.
3. The federal bureau of investi-
cation announced the creation of
a national defense investigation"
unit which, among other things,
will investigate fifth column and
similar activities.
4. Secretary Hull disclosed as
surances from European belliger-
ents that a dozen Danish ships