Evening star., 1941-01-29
British Aid
Continued From First Page.)

undertakes to manufacture arms at
its own expense for Britain. and II
the aid is deemed essential to
American defense. the United States
would have an interest in seeing
that the supplies reach England
safely.
II think it might be more i'm
portant than it is today Mr.. Stim-
son replied, and then recalled the
great emergency Great Britain
faced after the battle Of Flan-
ders last summer.
There was a very great emer-
gency." said Mr. Stimson. and it
was deemed, I think by the ma
jority Of our population, as affecting
the interests of the United States
Our President took a step that
was of such importance it is very
possible we are sitting here quietly
today because that step was taken.
Sees British Fleet Refuge.
Mr.. Stimson also defended the
provision permitting repair OF for
eign ships in American ports He
said that if any disaster should be-
fall the British Isles. as much as he
hoped that would not happen, this
provision might prove the means OF
saving the British feet.
Senator Byrnes, Democrat. OF
South Carolina brought out that, as
the law now stands, the only al
tentative would be to send the Brit
ish fleet out after "a hours. land
have 1t 60 back to Mr.. Hitler"
Recalling that the President took
the responsibility Of sending tc
Great Britain large stores" of guns
left over from the World War to re-
fit those British troops. the secre-
tary said he had been told by re-
liable authorities that it was one
of the greatest steps taken in restor-
ing the morale of the British people
and enabling them to put up "the
magnificent" defense they have
since made.
Many Technicalities Considered.
IN doing that under the existing
law which this supersedes." Mr.
Stimson added, there were many
technicalities to be considered, anc
maybe technicalities to be broken
Senator Gillette interrupted to OBJ
serve the President had done that
under existing law
But it was done under law that
made it much more difncult to do.
Mr.. Stimson added.
Mr.. Stimson then declared that
after the World War some of the
most worthy men I knew we're pros.
ecuted" for breaches of technicali-
ties that Injured to the benefit OF
the men in France
Mr.. Stimson charged that SOME
of these prosecutions after the
World War were regarded by him
as "hideous injustice" from a new
administration which had come into
power after the last war was over.
Because Of that history. Secretary
Stimson declared that, lin fairness
to the men who have to direct the
affairs of the United States today
Congress should make their author
ity as clear as possible to meet
changing conditions as they occur.
Casualty Tags Explained.
Mr.. Stimson told the committee
he had made inquiry about a story
concerning a contract for 4,500, ,00C
casualty tags and found it was a
routine order placed last October,
that the tags are used in training
maneuvers, and the number indi-
Gates an army of less than 1000 900
because each soldier wears two tags
and some of them are lost.
Senator Clark. Democrat. of Mis-
souri, said he had been told the
President has asked the Red Cross
to have 100000 surgical dressing,
prepared by April. The Secretary
of War said he had not heard OF
that