Evening star., 1940-02-18
japanese Embargo
Decision Is LikeIy
10 Be Left 10 Hull
Senate Committee Split
Evenly, With Several
Still Undecided
BACKGROUND-

SNSfo uOf OSuCtOft, u GUY LLCJ Guy
expiring last month.
By the Associated Press.
The Senate Foreign Relations
Committee Is so evenly split on the
question Of imposing embargoes on
exports to Japan that word from
Secretary of State Hull probably
would decide the issue either way.
This became apparent yesterday
when an informal poll of the COM
mittee's % members showed seven
opposed to two pending embargo
proposals, seven Qualifiedly in favor
and six undecided. Three were un-
recorded.
OF the six who said they had not
made up their minds, four indicated
they would be swayed by Mr.. Hull's
views, as yet not made public. One
who declined to comment on his
stand, Senator Green, Democrat, of
Rhode Island consistently has sup
ported the administration on legis-
lation considered by the committee.
The committee is expected to dis
cuss informally at its meeting next
Wednesday two pending embargo
proposals.
Hull Delays Testimony.
The first, by Chairman Pittman,
would empower the President to
restrict exports of war materials,
including iron, steel, oil, gasoline and
scrap metal, to Japan because of
violation of American rights in
China.
The second, by Senator Schwellen-
bach, Democrat. of Washington,
would impose embargoes on the
ground that Japan has violated the
nine-power treaty in which the sig
natories pledged respect for the ter
ritorial integrity of China.
Although several committee men,
bers have said they would want to
hear Mr.. Hull's views before acting,
the Secretary was reported to have
advised them informally that he did
not desire to testify at this time.
This probably will have the effect,
some members said, of delaying
committee action.
To Press for Action.
Both Chairman Pittman and Sem
ator Schwellenbach told reporters,
however, that they were determined
to obtain action on their resolutions
in this session of Congress.
Qualified approval of some form
Of EMBRACE came from five Demo-
Gratis and two Republicans, though
some of these said they might not
be satisfied with the legislation in
the form it has been proposed.
Listed among opponents were
three Democrats, two Republicans,
a Progressive and a Farmer-Labor-
tie, but some in this group said they
might be swayed by later develop
ments.
Five Democrats and one Repub-
hcan said they were undecided.
Senators Connally, Democrat, of
Texas and Green declined to COM
ment and Senator Reynolds, Demo-
crat, of North Carolina was not
reached.
Favoring Restrictions.
In addition to Senators Pittman
and Schwellenbach, those listed as
favoring some form of embargo,
with their qualifying remarks, were:
Senator White, Republican, of
Maine-"Personally I am in favor
of putting an embargo on Japan
There is danger, however. that that
course may drive Japan and Russia
into an alliance. We will have to
proceed cautiously and much will
depend on future developments"
Senator George, Democrat, of
Georgia-'I am disposed to favor
some restrictions on the export of
war materials to Japan, but want
to study the possible effect on such
a move on other problems
Senator Capper, Republican, of
Kansas-"Im for shutting off all
war supplies, scrap iron included, to
Japan. am opposed to selling war
materials to any nation at war. I
am not sure. however, that the
pending resolutions are in good form
and I would want to study them
further"
Senator Murray, Democrat, of
Montana-"My sympathies lie with
imposing an embargo on Japan, but
would not want to do anything to
endanger the security of this coun-
try"
Senator Pepper, Democrat, of
Florida-"I'm for the embargo. I
don't think we should condone in
ternational brigandry."
Those listed against the embargo
and their qualifying remarks, were:
Senator Thomas, Democrat, of
Utah-"I think it would be very un-
wise, from the standpoint of the
United States, Japan and China, to
do anything at the present time.
An embargo now might do more
harm than good"
Senator Vandenberg, Republican.
Of Michcigan-"I am opposed to any
embargo. It would be an unneutral
action that might invite reprisals of
such a nature as to require force
to meet them"
Senator Gillette, Democrat, of
AOWd- 4IlC dUI IOSdClOIl VI IlIC jap
anese trade treaty is meaningless
step unless we follow it up. But an
embargo would be a purely punitive
action. Instead, think we should
invoke the Neutrality Act"
Senator La Toilette, Progressive,
Of Wisconsin-"I'm inclined at the
present time to vote against any gen.
eral embargo on Japan, but devel-
opments would determine my final
decision"
Sees Step to War.
Senator Van Nuys, Democrat, of
1ndiana-'1m against it. 1t would
be one more step gradually edging
us into another foreign war"
Senator Nye, Republican. of North
Dakota-"I'm against it. 1t is def
nitely not a neutral act and would
constitute a warlike action which
would invite retaliation"
Senator Shipstead, Farmer-Labor-
tie, of Minnesota-"Of course, think