Evening star., 1941-10-07

discussion of the matter last Friday
And on the question of arming ships
he went even further to say the pro-
hibition in the law was so specific
that he would not consider it proper
to order protective arming without
express authorization of the legis-
lative branch.
Opinions on Decision.
Reaction to the Panamanian de-
ciSion brought the expressed opinion
of Chairman Connally that the rul-
ing may have resulted from pres
sure by some small groups that al
ways have entertained a political
animosity toward the United States"
On the other hand, Senator
George. ranking member of the for
eign relations group, told reporters
that Panama presumably had de-
cided that armed merchantmen fly
ing it's flag would be dealt with as
warships and therefore would be
subject to attack"
"Panama's decision doesn't hurt
anything" Senator Connally told
neWsmen. I'VE can amend the Neu-
trality Act and arm our ships on
our own responsibility and let them
fly our own flag. Maybe later on
we can tell our ships they can go
anywhere on the high seas.
Many Americans will be glad to
hear that our ships will not sail
any longer under the flag of Pana-
ma
Interest in the decisions the con-
ference may reach was heightened
last night when Wendell l.. Willkle
appealed to the Republican party
TO take the lead and fight for the
Neutrality Acts repeal.
The 1910 Republican presidential
nominee, speaking at a National
Republican Club dinner in New
York. said, II recommend that the
Republican party, through its men,
bership in Congress, forthwith and
forthrightly, candidly and coura-
geously take the leadership in the
repeal of the neutrality law II is
apparent to all thoughtful people
that his act should be repealed and
repealed promptly"
Will Receive Taylor.
Late this afternoon the President
faces another engagement of COM
parable Importance to that with the
congressional group, receiving
Myron c. Taylor for a f1rst-hand
report on the special envoys recent
consultations with Pope Plus XII
and other high authorities of the
Vatican.
Exact nature of the Taylor mis-
sion has never been revealed. 1t
has conceded however. with nego-
tlations undertaken by this Govern
ment with the Communist regime in
Russia to effect a relaxation of
Soviet antagonism toward the prac-
tice of religious freedom.
Thus far, the only outward re-
action from Moscow has been a re-
iteration of Soviet constitutional
guarantees by a government spokes-
man last Saturday
More specific information on the
Moscow attitude is expected TO be
submitted to the President by w.
Averen Hartman, head of the
American aid-to-Russia delegation.
who was instructed to discuss the
issue with the Kremlin authorities
during the recent three-power con-
ference in the Russian capital.
The Russian attitude, and any
possible expression by papal author
tiles. may have an important bear
ing, incidentally, on the pending S.
985 900, 900 lease-lend appropriation
measure now before Congress. A de-
termined Senate block already has
announced its intention of sponsor
ing a provision in that bill to block
extension of any lease-lend aid to
the Soviet
An accounting of the strength of
this group probably will be given
the President by the Senate leaders
today.