Evening star., 1940-06-02
Pepper Visions
j. ). Allied Aid
Italy
FIoridiun Defends
National Guard Plan
While Others AssoiI 1t
By ], A. O'LEARY.

Action by this Government to
make available to the Allies planes
or other military equipment that
could be spared would turn the tide
of battle and might discourage Italy
from entering the war, Senator Pep
per. Democrat, of Florida asserted
last night, as Congress faced an
other week of intense activity on
national defense plans.
Although the Senate Foreign Re-
lations Committee turned down his
original proposal to give the Presi-
dent discretionary authority to sell
the Allies some of the aircraft of
the Army and Navy, the Florida
Senator expressed hope the COM
mittee would consider the question
again Wednesday, on his new reso-
luton, which includes other military
equipment.
Another development yesterday
was the statement of Gen. George
C. Marshall, Army chief of staff,
describing as essential the Presi-
dents request for congressional
authority to call out the National
Guard if the need should arise.
Gen. Marshall's statement brought
conflicting responses from Capitol
Hill, where there already had been
indications on Friday that this
phase of the defense program would
encounter opposition.
Wheeler Hits Statement.
Senator Wheeler, Democrat, of
Montana sharply criticized the
statement, while Senator Pepper
defended it.
Gen Marshall said the War De-
partment is opposed to ordering the
National Guard out for active duty.
He pointed out. however, that under
existing laws it would be impos-
sible ito send any units Of the
National Guard to assist regular
division in any one of the possible
situations which might arise in this
hemisphere"
The chief of staff voiced hope
that the proposed enlargement of
the Regular Army by enlistments
~OuV IL unnecessary ~
mobilize the National Guard, but
at the same time emphasized that
time is the ESSENTIAL factor" in max
ing preparation for possible emer-
gencieS.
Occupation of Possessions
Before Gen. Marshall issued his
statement Senator Minton of In
diana. Democratic whip. suggested
the President may have had in
mind the possible necessity of oc-
cupying British, French and Dutch
possessions in this hemisphere, If
the Allies were defeated. Senator
Minton pointed out that if this
became necessary Regular troops
probably would be used and the Ma
tional Guard called out to replace
them in the continental United
States
Senator Pepper called on Presi-
dent Roosevelt yesterday. but de-
clined to say what subjects were
discussed Later in the day the
Senator issued statement, how
ever predicting that Congress will
act favorably on his resolution to
aid the Allies "as soon as it really
understands what the sentiment of
the country is
Senators George, Democrat. OF
Georgia and Austin, Republican. of
Vermont, both supporters of the
Presidents foreign policy, joined
Senators forecasting that Congress
might remain in session continuous
ly as result of the request for au-
thority to summon the National
Guard to active duty.
Called Unwarranted.
Calling the request apparently
unwarranted," Senator George told
reporters:
IF the President seriously insists
on this request, I think Congress
will say: Mr.. President, if there
is an emergency of this nature In
the offing, of which the country
now knows nothing, we will stay here
to meet it,"
Senator Austin, the assistant Re-
publican leader. declared:
Il think We will be here all sum-
mer before we grant that power.
There will have to be some justifi-
cation that doesn't appear now
(See DEFENSE, Page A-l2)