Evening star., 1941-02-02
By J, A. OLEARY.

The bill to strengthen American
defense by aiding Britain is expected
to clear its first major hurdle by
passing the House this week, while
the Senate Foreign Relations Com
mittee hears further testimony.
Secretary of the Navy Knox
ended his testimony in support of
the bill before the Senate commit
tee yesterday with the declaration
he is tremendously worried" over
whether aid can be supplied Britain
In time, and he repeated his warn
ing of dangers that would confront
the United States if England falls.
Three days of general debate will
start in the House tomorrow, with
Chairman Bloom of the Foreign
Affairs Committee defending the
measure in its present form, and
Representative Fish of New York,
ranking minority members of the
committee, leading a fight for
further restrictions.
Norman Thomas to Testify.
Meanwhile, the Senate group will
hear Norman Thomas, Socialist
leader, and Philip La Toilette, for
mer Governor of Wisconsin, tomor-
row, as the first of a list of wit
nesses called by the opposition.
A checkup yesterday indicated a
safe majority to report the bill IA
vorably from the Senate commit
tee, probably within 10 days. The
lineup in the Senate committee
yesterday was reported to be 13 for
the bill, 8 opposed and doubtful.
After three days of general debate,
the House will begin Thursday read
ing the measure for amendments,
with a final vote expected late Fri
day or Saturday.
Chairman Bloom predicted last
night the bill will pass without
major changes beyond the amend
ments already made in committee,
which provide:
A time limit-July /, 1943-on
the powers given the President to
extend material aid to the nations
whose survival is deemed essential
to American defense; periodic re-
ports to Congress; consultation with
the chief of staff of the Army and
the chief of naval operations on
defense articles to be transferred,
and a statement that nothing in
the bill permits conveying by Amer
lean ships.
Other Developments.
Other developments here yester-
day were:
Senators Connally. Democrat, Of
Texas, and Nye, Republican, of
North Dakota, debated the issue on
the radio in the afternoon, the
Texan declaring America wants ac-
ton on the bill now. while the
North Dakotan called on the people
to make strong their protest against
'this drift to war"
Lord Halifax, the new British
Ambassador, made a courtesy call
on Chairman Bloom Of the House
committee, as he had done Friday
on Chairman George of the Senate
group.
ONAoSO4 wye, WIN QlSdSI66u WlGU
Secretary Knox over the likelihood
of the axis powers being in a posi-
tion to turn on this hemisphere if
they defeat England, asked the
Secretary about the relative naval
strength and snipbuilding capacity
OF this country and the axis.
The Secretary declared if the axis
wins, it will have seven times our
facilities for shipbuilding. The Sen
ator inquired whether "our case is
hopeless" in competing with Europe.
ut would be exceedingly danger
ous," Mr.. Knox replied I'VE would
have to strain every nerve, and the
odds would be against u.s."
Danger From Bases Cited.
Senators Nye and Clark, Demo-
Gratis, of Missouri sought to show
that the German and italian navies
fall into the class of home-water
fleets, not designed for a long-range
invasion.
Secretary Knox agreed they are
of that category. but pointed out
the danger would arise from the
establishment of hostile naval bases
in this hemisphere before any at
(See BRITISH AID, Page A-4)