Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-08-17
Defense
Continued From First PageD

ence that "a critical situation faces
the United States because of Euro
pean war developments.
His reference, he explained. con-
cerned the possibilities of the next
month in the Western Hemisphere.
Marshall Stresses Time Element.
In discussing the pending bill for
CONSUMPTION, Gen Marshall said:
No one can say with certainty, the
way things are going abroad. that
we won't need the additional man
power without delay"
Time" he declared, lis the DOM
inant factor, and time is t1eeting."
From the Virgin Islands TO Flor
ida, the West Indian Island passage
approaches to the canal are consid-
cred well protected. But the south
erly stretch with its many channels
between islands has frankly been a
worry to the defense tacticians.
What sites would be chosen, should
the oeal go through, probably would
depend on where the most suitable
port facilities could be obtained.
One of the better harbors in the
area. some say, is at Port au Spain,
Trinidad The British have base
there. A French naval base is al
ready in existence at Martinique.
Of the members of Congress who
commented on the disclosure Of
negotiations. majority called &C
QUESTION of additional bases desir-
able. Senator Holt, Democrat, OF
Virginia, while praising such move.
charged that it was sugar coating
to make the transfer OF destroyerS
palatable.
Several legislators, however, viewed
the idea coldly. or with hostility.
Representative Routzohn, Republic
an, of Ohio, saying it would be "a
stepping stone-like the Guard mob
ilization bill. He tMr. RoosevelD
can involve us in war without a
declaration of war"
Capitol Hill speculation centered
on whether Mr.. Roosevelt could
make a destroyer transfer without
specific authority from Congress.
Opinion divided. Senator Ashurst,
Democrat, of Arizona forecast that
a request for such authority would
mean a mine months debate"
Senator Holt of the Senate Naval
Committee contended that action
by Congress would be necessary.
Senator AShurSt, vino said he did
not know whether the President had
authority to send destroyers to Brit
ain under existing law, told report
ers he would vote to authorize the
President to send them in his dis
cretion," then added-"if Senator
Walsh chairman of the Naval At
fairs Committee says they should
be sent"
Reminded that Mr.. Walsh had
expressed opposition to such action,
Mr.. Ashurst declined to say what his
position would be should the Naval
Committee chairman oppose en-
towering legislation,
Senator Lee, Democrat, Of Okla
homa has commended that the Pres
ident already had legal authority
TO make average deStroyers avail
able to the British. and Senator
Pepper, Democrat, of Florida ex-
pressed hope that the vessels would
be part of the consideration" In
any deal for bases.
President Roosevelt said yesterday
that he had not yet received an
opinion on the destroyers from the
Attorney General
Attorney General Jackson ruled on
June "a that the proposed sale to
Great Britain of motor torpedo boats
being built for the Navy would
seem to be prohibited" by the Neu-
trality Act of June IS, 1917.
The destroyer problem, however,
has one angle not present in the
torpedo boat situation, because the
destroyers are average and long out
of service while the motorboats had
not even been delivered.
Senator Nye. Republican, of South
Dakota was against the whole pro-
poSal.
II do not think we want any half
interest with any foreign power in
any part of the EARTH" he said. I'VE
certainly do not want to extend our
frontiers any further than they are
now on a half or whole basis"
Other comment:
Chairman VinSon, Democrat, of
Georgia of the House Naval Affairs
Committee: 1T is essential for the
defense of the Panama Canal that
We have outlying bases"
Chairman May, Democrat. of Ken
lucky of the House Military Affairs
Committee: Il am 100 per cent for
it and I hope the negotiations will
be quickly concluded"
Representative Short, Republican,
of Missouri, member of the Military
Committee: 1.-THE whole situation
is loaded with dynamite. I think
we are slipping nearer and nearer
to the precipice and we'd better
watch out. The main thing is how
the President plans to acquire these
bases. The people should certainly
be fully informed about that. I'm
afraid we'll wake up and find he's
committed us to give Great Britain
military equipment in violation Of
our neutrality"
Representative Mas, Republican,
of Minnesota. ranking minority
member of the House Naval Com
mittee: 81 am for the acquisition OF