Evening star., 1940-04-09
President 10 Get
Hull Report on
War Tonight
Invoking Of Neutrality
Act Studied; Oslo
Communications Cut
BY GARNETT d. HORNER.

The administration is considering
extension of the Neutrality Act to
cover the new war area in Scandi-
navia and is studying means for
possible evacuation of American cit
izens from the danger zones, Secre-
tary of State Hull said today.
The Secretary added, at his press
conference shortly after noon, that
he could not undertake at that time
to speak conclusively about the exact
nature of any steps that might be
necessary in possible extension Of
neutrality law provisions.
He indicated that all the infor.
nation pertaining to the new war
developments and suggested steps
for action by this Government were
being assembled this afternoon and
would be laid before President
Roosevelt for decision on the Chief
Executives return from Hyde Park
tonight.
Communications Broken.
Meanwhile, the State Department
disclosed that its direct communica-
tons with Oslo, Norway, were
broken of at II am, E. S. T.. in
the middle of message when the
Norwegian telegraph operator re-
ported there was an air raid and
he had ito run away"
Previous messages from Oslo had
reported that Mrs. j. Borden Harri-
man, United States Minister to Nor
way, had accompanied the Nor
Weglan government to the inland
city OF Hamar, while a dozen Amer
1can foreign service officers re.
mained in charge of the Legation
and Consulate General at Oslo.
Wives and children of the foreign
service officers were evacuated.
Dictates Statement.
Before an unusually large group
OF reporters at his press conference,
Secretary Hull dictated the follow
ing statement. which he explained
was all he could say officially about
the extension of the European war
to Scandinavia:
L think We are all aware by this
time of the extension to another
area of the military activities that
have been going on in Europe since
September.
This Government is observing
very closely and diligently all of the
new developments and as nearly as
possible ascertaining their nature
and significance.
1T IS likewise proceeding with the
same diligence and accuracy it has
exercised since September in apply
ing our neutrality and combat area
law and other pertinent policies to
the European military situation.
Assembling All Facts.
II would not undertake now to
speak conclusively about the extent
and nature of any steps that may be
called for relating to the extension
of the combat area or other provi-
sions of our neutrality law or proc
lamations declaring certain addi-
tional or new areas in state of war.
I'VE are assembling as rapidly as
possible all of the facts and circum-
stances pertaining to these two
phases, as we'll as all other aspects
of this new military situation"
Safety Considered.
If the President proclaims that
Norway is in state of war, the
"cash-and-carry" provisions of the
Neutrality Act would apply to Nor
way, and American vessels would be
prohibited from entering Norwe-
gian ports. The combat area,
which American vessels are forbid.
den to enter, could be extended to
cover the Norwegian coast without
formally proclaiming Norway bel
ligerent.
In response to questions Secre-
tary Hull said some high officials Of
the State Department were giving
particular attention to the safety Of
American citizens in the new war
area, adding that any plans for
evacuation or other emergency
measures would come along as de-
velopments revealed the situation.
Raymond E. Cox, First Secretary
(See AMERICANS page A-5O