Evening star., 1941-02-01

toned the ability of Col. Charles
A. Lindbergh to qualify as mill
tary aviation expert on invasion,
Senator Nye asked the Secretary
what previous experience he had
as a naval expert.
Very early in these hearings I
abdicated as a naval expert" the
Secretary replied, but I base my
judgement on the opinions of our
best technical advisers"
Committee Approval Seen.
Approval of the British-aid bill in
the Senate committee by margin
of at least three votes was forecast
today by administration leaders, and
Chairman George undertook to pre-
vent any delay in committee con-
sideration of the measure.
A canvass of members, it was re-
ported, showed Is sure votes for
the legislation among the % COM
mitteemen, eight votes certain" to
go against 1t and two presently con-
sidered doubtful"
House Ready for Debate.
While the Senate Foreign rela-
tions Committee carried forward
its investigation of the war situ-
alton under pressure of the chair
mans demand for speed, all was
in readiness on the House side of
the Capitol for the start of full
dress debate on British aid Mon
day.
Final arrangements were COM
pleted yesterday when the Rules
Committee ordered three days of
general discussion with unlimited
consideration of amendments and
Republican members of the Foreign
Affairs Committee issued minority
report on the. lease-lend bill which
may serve as a rallying point for
opponents of the administration
measure.
A majority report, issued Thurs
day, had recommended enactment
of the bill but the minority pro-
posed instead "a straightforward
bill which would grant Britain
81, 100000 worth" of American
credit with which to buy war sup
plies here.
This, the minority said, would
eliminate the step Of giving the
President absolute power over every
concern in this country manufac-
turing war materials" and would
not permit him to be the director of
the war in England"
The report was signed by Repre-
sentatives Eaton New Jersey
Rogers Massachusetts, Fish New
York;, Chiperfield Gllinois), Vorys
(Ohio), Mundt (South Dakota)
Jonkman (Michigan and Bolton
(Ohio).
G. o. p. Opposition Seen.
Issuance of the report fore
shadowed a possibility considerable
Republican opposition to the bill in
the House. House Minority
Leader Martin said after a con-
ference with his members yesterday
that many would vote against it
unless some substantial amend
ments were adopted. Representa-
tive Martin has announced he is
among those opposed to it.
But it was by no means certain
that a similar situation would exist
in the Senate when the measure
finally comes up there. Senate Mi
nority Leader McNary said he would
reserve judgment pending possible
further revision of the bill and some
legislators took this as an indication
that eventually he might give it his
support.
Senator Gillette, Democrat, of
Iowa, said he had decided to vote
against it as it is now drawn be-
cause he had not been convinced
that its enactment was necessary.
In their report arguing in behalf
of $4,000, 100000 credit to Britain,
the Republican members of the
House committee said that should
the President become director of
the war in England" through lease
lend operations the United States
would "underwrite the success of the
war"
The minority set forth the fol-
lowing proposals which were de-
scribed as making up constructive
democratic program to aid Britain
and to keep us out of war;
l. Grant Britain the two-billion
credit, requiring reasonable collat-
eral security if available"
2. Permit the sale Of arms to Brit
ain 'only when our highest Army
and Navy officers certify in writing
such arms are not necessary for our
national defense"
3. Place a one-year limit on all
extraordinary powers delegated by
Congress.
4. Prohibit disposal of any ives
sells Of the United States" without
consent Of Congress.
S. Prohibit use of American ports
for repairing belligerent ships. The
minority said that I'VE must not
bring the war to American ports"
g. Prohibit use of American ves-
sells Ito transfer exports to belliger-
ents."
7. Prohibit "the conveying Of ner-
chantmen by your Navy"