Evening star., 1940-06-15

Neutrality Act Change
To Speed Aid 10 Allies
Discussed Anew !
Shippers Want American
Vessels to Re-enter Direct
Trade With Europe

FFSsS w VIII VSUSiISOu
Vessels to Re-enter Direct
Trade With Europe
Modification of the Neutrality
Act to expedite American aid to
the Allies was being discussed anew
today, but the quiet finality of
President Roosevelt's remarks yes
terday that everything possible al
ready Is being done for the hard
pressed British and French indi-
Gated that the administration at
least will not take the leadership
In any such effort.
With Great Britain reported
placing $1,000, 0,0OO, 900 in quick assets
on the counter for American sup
plies, several New York shipping
ofncials were said to have conferred
here on the question of amending
the neutrality law to permit Amer
lean vessels to re-enter direct trade
with French and British ports.
That the Allies themselves are not
oVersupplied with transport facili-
ties for speeding material to Europe
was indicated by the fact that less
than a dozen French-British ships
were In New York harbor yesterday.
AT his press conference yesterday,
Mr.. Roosevelt responded to inquiries
ABOUT French appeals for greater as
slstance by saying simply that every-
thing possible already is being done,
lmplementing this remark, the War
Department continued to search its
arsenals and inventories for addi-
tlonal surplus equipment for trade
IN" purposes, but gave assurances
at the same time that our own forces
are not being dearmed.
Another proposal for extensive aid
to the Allies was being submitted to
Congress today in the form of a
resolution to empower President
Roosevelt to turn the Nations entire
automotive industry into a gigantic
aircraft factory at once to produce
$4,000 warplanes for shipment to
Europe.
The resolution, drafted by Senator
Pepper, Democrat, of Florida, drew
fire, however, even before it's formal
introduction, particularly from Sem
ator Holt, Democrat, of West Vir-
ginia, who scored it as "dictatorial.' u
Senator Peppers proposal reflected
the grave concern manifest in many
congressional quarters over the des-
perate plight of the Allies and talk
turned to the fate of the French
feet in the event France was forced
to capitulate.
Senator Norris, Independent, of
Nebraska said he believed Germany
might demand the French fleet as
one of the terms of surrender. Navy
experts, weighing the same possibil-
ity, said this would give the Rome
Berlin axis a combined fleet su-
perior in several categories both to
that of Great Britain and that of
the United States.
Another potential aspect of the
wars effect on sea power was report
ed to have been examined at a closed
session Of the Senate Naval Commit
tee yesterday. 1t was said that Maj.
George Fielding Eliot, a military
writer, told the committee that this
country may have to decide whether
to open its naval bases to the Brit
ish fleet, If bases abroad become un-
tenable.
Multiple Effort to Continue.
With the course of the European
conflict figuring so Importantly in
calculations, multiple efforts con-
tinued toward the double goal Of
national preparedness and assist
ance for the Allies.
From the War Department came
an announcement that the Citizens
Military Training Camps would
offer special training this summer
to 5000 business and professional
men, under a plan reminiscent of
the Plattsburgh training camp of
pre-World War days.
The department also disclosed
that it was reinforcing it's staff of
military observers in South America.
and made known program for
training 10000 airmen annually.
A new destroyer unit was created
in the Nays Atlantic squadron with
Rear Admiral F.. K. Reichmuth in
command of some 100 ships of both
new and World War construction
Preparations also were underway
for returning II decommissioned de-
stroyers and submarines to active
service.
Mobilization of American scientific
genius in behalf of our defenses was
announced by President Roosevelt
with the creation of an eight-man
National Defense Research Commit
tee headed by DR.. Vannevar Bush,
president of the Carnegie Institution
of Washington. The committee will
marshal all research on defense
problems, it was explained, in con-
junction with existing research
o6SAIClCS dllo 4llSblCUllOllS.
Mercy Ship Every 10 Days.
The Red Cross, whose first mercy
ship of relief supplies for refugees
sails for Europe today, announced
that it hoped to send similar ships
to Europe every 10 days.
Senator Pepper, discussing his
plans for the bill to divert auto
plants exclusively to plane produc-
ton, explained it would be based on
1916 statute empowering the Gov
ernment in wartime or when war is
imminent" to order industry to sup
ply Federal demands for essential
equipment
The measure would authorize the
President to order $4,000 planes for
delivery by certain date, the
planes to be released subsequently
to the Allies.