Evening star., 1940-01-16
BY JOHN c. HENRY.

national committee on FINNISH
ciDilidn relief UaS formed.
BY JOHN c. HENRY.
President Roosevelt informed con-
gressional leaders today that in his
opinion the most reasonable ap-
proach to granting aid to Finland
would be through the Export
Bank and the Reconstruction
Finance Corp. by extension OF credit
for financing expectation Of nom
military purchases.
Reminding them that the specific
question of credits to Finland is one
wholly within the jurisdiction Of
Congress, the President wrote that
an extension of such credit at this
time docs not in any way constitute
or threaten any so-called involve
ment in European wars"
The Presidents pronouncement,
actually leaving full responsibility
still with Congress. was contained
in identical letters dispatched short
ly after noon to Vice President
Garner and Speaker Bankhead.
Throughout his communications, Mr..
Roosevelt indicated clearly that the
administration in this instance is
making no commitment on lending
Finland money for military pur-
chaSes.
Wants No Large Credits.
Acknowledging the widespread de-
sire throughout the country for
some action assisting Finland, Mr..
Roosevelt pointedly reminded the
congressional leaders that there Is
Undoubtedly opposition to the Gre
alton of precedents which might
lead to large credits to nations in
Europe, either belligerents or neu-
trails"
mo one" he said, desires a re-
turn to such status"
Apparently referring to last weeks
debate on whether the executive or
the legislative branch of the Gov
ernmenc should take the initiative in
prescribing financial aid to Finland,
Mr.. Roosevelt asserted Congress is
just as fully possessed of informa-
ton on the matter as is the executive
branch of the Government.
In apparently throwing the whole
problem back into the lap of Con-
gress, Mr.. Roosevelt tied the Finnish
aid issue into that of United States
Government loans to other small
countries abroad or their citizens,
noting that applications are pend
ing from Scandinavia and South
America.
No Neutrality Violation.
"It goes without saying" he wrote,
'that if the applications for loans
can be acted upon favorably by the
Congress, this matter will be kept
within the realm of our neutrality
laws and our neutrality policies"
Specifically, the President sug-
gested that Congress might author
ize and increase in the revolving
credit fund of the EXport-Import
Bank, with the r. F. G. authorized
to purchase obligations of the bank
to permit financing "of agricultural
surpluses and manufactured prod
ucts, not including implements of
war"
Congress is possessed of discre-
ton, the Chief Executive said, to
place a ceiling on the amount of
such loans or to make sufficient
increase in the Export Bank
fund for South and Central Ameri-
can trade loans.
Without recommendation, the
President wrote that Finland's last
debt payment installment, amount
ing to about $4,000, is being held
in a special account in the Treasury
pending any action Congress might
wish to take with regard to the
money.
The President conferred this
morning with Secretary of State
Hull over the precise nature of his
recommendations.
Before seeing the Chief Executive
at the White House, Secretary Hull
conferred last night with Federal
COnfers With PrOcOpe.
Just before he crossed the street
from his Office to the White House
Secretary Hull received for brief
conference Hjalmar Procope, Fin
nish Minister to the United States.
Declining any comment on his visit
Mr.. Procope later called on j. Pier
repont Moffatt, head of the State
Departments European Division.
Legislation is pending by which
this Government would make an
outright loan of $60,00O,000 to the
Finnish government, and the Sen
(see FINNISH AID, Page A-4)