Evening star., 1941-02-25
British Aid
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DIItISu N10
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time for voting.
Democratic Leader Barkley re-
ported he had been having converSa-
tions with Senators on both sides
in an effort to expedite the legiSla-
ton and that he was working out
a program which he believed would
be generally satisfactory.
There was continued talk of
amendments, and Senate Minority
Leader McNary was reported to be
urging the administration leadership
to accept two restrictions. One would
prohibit any further transfer of
naval vessels and the other would
state that the bill conferred no au-
thority for sending troops out of
this hemisphere.
Senator ShipStead said it was his
opinion the bill would confer on
President Roosevelt greater power
than Congress had ever voted to any
Chief Executive, even in war time
Any attempt to limit this grant of
power, he went on. would be utterly
meaningless" because Congress had
a way of extending the time limits
on such grants.
Gibbons Views Cited.
The Minnesota Senator said the
English historian, Gibbon, in writing
of the fall of the Roman Empire
sought to explain to his readers why
so many men who were wise and
considerate administrators as long
as their authority was held within
rigid limitations became tyrantS
when clothed with dictatorial
powers.
"Gibbon holds" Senator Shipstead
continued, and in my judgment the
experience of mankind sustains him,
that this thing we call the brain
literally cracks up when its pos
SCISSOR is granted unrestricted
authority over the wealth, the
natural resources and the man power
of a great nation.
In the light of history, no sane
man would aspire to such power.
He would instinctively question his
ability to direct it, Obviously, no
insane man should be given such
power by an Indifferent or servile
legislature, unless those who make
the grant are willing to repeat the
frightful tragedies which mark the
advance of the human race from
barbarism to civilization
Senator Shipstead argued that the
bill would permit the President to
"dissipate' national defenses by
transferring weapons to other coun-
tries. Neither, he added, was there
any check on the Presidents deci-
sion as to which countries should
be the recipients of those weapons
"Monstrous Formula"
THE phrase we find in this bill
country whose defense the President
deems vital to the defense of the
United StateS-is. I firmly believe
the most monstrous legislative for
mula ever proposed in the Congress
of the United States the Minnesota
Senator declared.
Il cannot see how any man in
possession of his senses can con-
Strue this as anything other than a
surrender by Congress for 81 months
of all control over our armed forces,
our foreign policy and our Treas
ury, which. by the way, is to be SUBJ
jected to the most complete totali-
tartan raid in our whole history"
Soon, he said, the financial bur-
den will be so great that about one
half of the total cash income of the
people of the country will 60 to
meet taxes.
Recalling that he had opposed
American entry into war in 1917
Senator Shipstead said he was re-
elected last November on the plat
form which opposed American in
volvement in the present conflict.
Fears Devastating War.
President Roosevelt and Wendell
L. Willkie. 1910 Republican presi-
dental nominee, also took positions
against such involvement, he said
adding:
And yet today we find the Con-
gress Of the United States-pusheo
on by those two distinguished party
leaders-about to pass the pending
bill, which every thoughtful mar
knows will almost inevitably put us
into a world war so widespread and
devastating as to make World Wal
No. l appear like a mere prologue
to Armageddon."
Senators Murray and Barbour. in
speeches prepared for Senate de.
livery, declared that enactment OF
the British aid measure was neces.
Sary for American security. Both
challenged the claims that it was s
war measure" or that it meant ar
American dictatorship.
The bill undertakes to insure u,
against involvement in the war BY
empowering the President to give
material and effective aid to those
countries whose defense is necessary
to our defense" Senator Murray de-
clared
Safety From War Seen.
81 think the bill provides the most
effective method to keep the coun-
try out of war 1t will contribute tc
ending the war in Europe and keep
ing it away from our country"
Senator Murray said that "ever
though this measure might ordi-
narily be regarded as a violation o1
the principles of international law
as heretofore understood, such VIC.
lation could not be urged against
the United States by Hitler"
Because Hitler has violated the
neutrality of many European coun.
tries, Senator Murray declared, "nt
other country whose security Is en-.
dangered by him should be bounc
by international law"
Senator Murray asserted that "s
vote against this bill would be a vote
against the security of the United
States"
Senator Barbour expressed thu
hope that the Senate would ''ac
promptly and with little further de.
D..sA i