The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-02-18
Opponents Of British
 Aid Bill Speak Out
Continued from Page 1.)

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 "6. It commits the American people permanently to support the course he takes, for once embarked on a course it will be necessary for the people to follow through" Sen. Bennett c. Clark, D., Mo-, opened floor debate for the oppo- sition with a charge that the ad- ministration bill would weaken our own defenSeS and gamble the whole of our national safety upon the one card of a completed Brit ish victory" He said that it would completely reverse" U. s. foreign policy and would wipe out the re- strictions of executive power over domestic affairs"
 Allay All Fears
 Sen. Allen J. Ellender, D., La., a1l- nouncing that he was ready to vote for the bill at once, offered an amendment which he said would allay the fears of millions of American mothers"
 This amendment, which was re- iected by administration forces on the senate foreign relations com mittee, declares that nothing con- tained in this act shall be deemed to confer any additional powers to authorize the employment or use of persons in the land or naval forces of the United States at any place beyond the limits of the vest ern hemisphere, except in the ter- ,.fk United States, including the Philip pine islands.
 Sen. Burton K. Wheeler, D., Mont, leader of the opposition, ar- nounced his group would fight for adoption of the Elender amend ment, as well as other changes. Senator Clark Speaks Washington, Feb. 18 - UP) - Senator Bennett c. Clark, D.. Mo, charged today that the administra- tions British-aid bill would weaken ; our own defenses and gamble the whole of our national safety upon the one card of complete British victory"
 Clark, the first speaker for the opposition in senate debate on the bill, said passage of it would "com- pletely reverse" the foreign policy of the United States and would wipe out the restrictions of execu- tive power over domestic affairs"
 Opposition speeches began after Senator Burton K. Wheeler, D., Mont, had outlined seven amend ments that his group would demand and Senator Scott Lucas, D., H., suggested a compromise that would provide for a SiX-man congressional board to consul with the president on arms transactions.
 Clark said he opposed the bill on seven counts:
 l. Its number (H. R. 1776) is a dissertation upon the memories of those heroic men" who followed Washington in 1776.
 2. Its title-"To promote the de- fense of the United States"-is misleading and misrepresentative" He charged it would authorize "the denuding of American defenses."
 8. Because it authorizes the pres ident to dispose of armaments without consideration or for any consideration he may choose to any country in the world"
 A. Because it gives the president .autocratic powers to dispose of de- fense weapons and other commodl- ties.
 "5. Because it is an 'abdication by congress of it's functions and re- sponsibilities.' | S1o ic Hyin1 the Declarat ton of Panama and the Treaty of Havana.
 "7. It stakes cur national safety on the victory of one belligerent in a foreign war and brings us to the very brink of war while at the same time permitting the serious weak ening of our own means for defend- , ing ourselves ..
 Clark charged that the admins tration's contentious that the meas ure was designed to keep us out of war was completely negated' by such supporters of the bill as Sen Carter Glass, D., Va, and President James Conant of the HaTvard uni versity-"the most noteworthy ad- vocates of our entry into the war v
 Among the most vociferous of the supporters of the pending meas ure," he said, "are the ardent ad- vocates of Union Now a scheme which can only be described as es- sentially in effect inle;ded to bring about our entry into the Britisl, commonwealth of nations or some- thing akin to dominica status.
 T hope sincerely that Great Britain may successfully withstand any and all onslaughts of the un- speakable Hitler.
 Much as [ admire the heroism of the British defense of their own islan6s I am entirely unwilling to commit this country to defense of the British empire around the world cannot agree that the American people should be called upon to underwsite the expenses of the defense Of the British empire from Hong Kong to Labrador.
 T am unwilling shaL American taxpayers. already hard .preESed, should be called upon 10 make Sacri' Aces by the adoption Of measures which Canada and New Zealand and Australia have not been called upon 10 enact"
 He also charged that the financial rcsourees Of iile British empire have | ,.at haan pNnntiEtpd