The Wilmington morning star., 1941-02-12


read q statement urging enactment,
with notifications, of the lease-lend
bill. Some of the questions and
answers follow:
Senator Vandenberg (R-Mich}-In
your view Is this all-out aid to Eng
land policy policy which il followed
to it's end would mean going to war
If that became necessary to achieve
its obligations?
Willkie - In my Judgment only
one BODY has the power to declare
war. It | were a member of con-
gress, ! would never vote to declare
war unless American public senti-
ment was so overwhelmingly in
favor OF it that / was convinced
there was no alternative.
Excellent Statement
Vandenberg-That is an excellent
statement but what I want to know
is whether IT In the fanal analysis war
was necessary to achieve this saliva.
ton Of which you speak, dc We go
that far?
Willkie-H you were putting that
question to me as a member of con-
gress today as to how I would vote
on whether we We're to 80 to war,
would say no.
Vandenberg-I don't think you I'm,
derstand my questions.
Willkie-I told everyone I talked
to in England that ! spoke for no.
body but myself. I told them I mere
ly was attempting to interpret Amerl'
can public opinion.
Vandenberg - You misunderstood
me.
Willkie - I told them I did not
think the American public would
support anything that would involve
them directly in the war.
Vandenberg-I am simply trying to
determine whether this all-eut aid to
England does finally include our en-.
try into war.
Willkie-I would say no.
Reynolds Questions
Senator Reynolds tD-NC}-As the
situation exists at the present hour,
you don't think there Is a possibility
Of the United States becoming in.
volved In the war?
Willkie-You've got a couple of
madmen loose, and I don't know
where they will strike. =. I'd have
to say yes. / don't know where they
will strike.
Reynolds-If the situation contin.
ues as it is. do you think we are
likely to get into this war?
Willkie-If Britain were to collapse
tomorrow, we'd be in a war a month
after, that's my guess.
Reynolds-Tomorro
Willkie-Well, a month or 60 da IS?
Reynolds-You think it would af,
feet US in 60 days.
Willkie-I'm not signing a promis.
sorry note as to the time. If Britain
collapses and Germany gets posses
sion OF the British navy, I wouldn't
give great deal for our chance of
keeping out OF war.
r Reynalds-Then you think that
Germany would assuredly attack us,
If she gets the British Navy.
Willkie-Yes. In q relatively short
time.
Reynolds-De you think passage of
this bill will take US further away or
closer to war?
Willkie-Much further away from
war.
Willkie had suggested that the aid
proposed in the bill be limited to the
British commonwealth, Greece and
China, and Senator Barkley D-Ky)
said this had been discussed by ad-
ministration leaders. But he asked,
what would be the effect of such a
on the morale Of Bulgaria
and Turkey if they were invaded?
Willkie--In my judgment this limi-
tation would be wise. Ny desire is
to see this bill pass almost over
whelmingly in congress. :. The
amendment would remove some of
the flexibility of the bill-it removes
the point that gives the President the
power to rearm all over the world.
Gillette's Questions
Senator Gillette (D-Iowa) You
said in your formal statement that
if Britain prevails. the enslaved de-
mocracies will revive. You believe
that, do you?
Willkie-I do, very sincerely.
Gillette-On that statement would
You predict a belief that Finland
will revive? =. I'm asking you if In
your opinion if Britain prevails Fin
land will be restored?
Willkie ! believe that whether
Britain is to prevail is going to de-
pend substantially on whether our
aid Is effective. If that aid is effec-
tive, 1 believe gentlemen such as you
will help determine whether Finland
and other countries are to be re-
stored.
dater Willkie wrote the commit
tee that he recalled Gillette had indi-
Gated that Finland had been "subju-
gated" and asked the committee to
insert the statement: "Of course Fin
land is operating under its own gov
ernment and is not subject to the
control of any other nation.")
Gillette-If to render effective aid,
we pass the bill, will it be necessary
for us to send merchant ships into
the war zones?
Willkie-I don't believe so.
Gillette-Mr. Churchill says they
have not enough shipping available.
Willkie--I can't speak for Mr..
Churchill.
Gillette-In Mr.. Wilkes opinion if
necessary to send American ships to