Evening star., 1941-03-06

hemisphere should be written into
the bill.
Senator Ellender cited the Demo-
cratic and Republican platforms Of
1910 and the speeches Of the Presl-
dent to show that neither party IA
vors sending men to take part in a
foreign war, and contended that there
should be no objection to stating this
intention in the bill. He argued that
his only purpose was to allay the
fears of American mothers.
One compromise for the Ellender
amendment has been drafted by
Senator OMahoney. Democrat. of
wyoming providing that American
armed forces could not be used to
transport war equipment to the ma
tions to be aided.
Senator Clark, Democrat, of Mis-
souri, also has a substitute, which
was interpreted in some quarters as
more drastic than the Ellender pro-
posal
Senator Clark approaches the is
sue by proposing that no funds ap-
propriated by Congress shall be used
to transport military forces beyond
the Western Hemisphere.
Leading supporters of the bill have
argued that the Ellender amend
ment, if adopted, would not be
legally binding. because the Presi-
dents constitutional powers as Com
mander in Chief enables him to di-
rect the movement of naval vessels,
and that this constitutional author
ity could not be displaced by leg
islative act. The Clark proposal,
however, rests on the power of Con-
gress TO determine and limit the use
of appropriations. which opponents
of the bill contend would be binding
Chairman Walsh of the NavaI
Committee and Senator Brewster
Republican, of Maine are planning
amendments to curb the transfer oi
naval vessels to other countries.
The Walsh proposal, not yet pre-
sented, is expected to be a fiat pro-
hibition. The Brewster amend
ment takes middle ground, by per.
mitting the transfer Of naval vessel:
as new ones are completed, so that
the present American tonnage would
not be reduced.
Roosevelt Assures Anti-War Policy
Meanwhile, as the Senate wen
ahead with the bill, President Roose.
welt gave assurance that his policy
in carrying it out would not be 9
war policy, but the contrary" HI
made the statement in letter u
the National League of Womer
Voters, which read as follows:
Many thanks for your fine letter
of February %. I want you to know
now deeply appreciate your clear
statement of the position of tn,
League of Women Voters on foreign
policy. 1t is indeed encouraging tC
know that you and your organiza-
ton are supporting the lease-lend
bill
In acknowledging my apprecia-
ton of the leagues position I am
glad to reiterate the assurance that
the policy under which the meas
ure would be operated would not be
a war policy, but the contrary.
Il desire particularly to assure
you, and through you the members
of the national board, of my heart.
felt appreciation of your and theil
good wishes for the passage of the
bill with the least possible delay"
Senator Lucas, Democrat, of Il
hnois, declared last night that ii
England falls, war is inevitable" fo
the United States. On the othe
hand, he said if England survive
there will be no danger Of aggres
sion in Central and South America
or in this country.
Before the EIlender amendmen
came up late yesterday. the Senat,
had quickly approved, without call
ing the roll, seven n-controversia
amendments to accomplish the fol
lowing:
Preserve the right of Congress t,
end the bills powers before the 1914
expiration date, by adoption of {
concurrent resolution In the Hous
and Senate.
Make 1t clear that the Presiden
may transfer existing defense ar
ticles, up to value of 81 SOC, ,000, ,00C
without bringing each contract bacl
to Congress.
Making 1t certain, also, that n,
part of future appropriations woul'
be available for lease-lend aid, ex
cept as Congress may specify Il
passing each appropriation bill.
Requiring the heads of agencie
from which defense articles are sen
to Britain out of existing supplies Il
place value on such articles, 81
that the $1,000, ,000. 900 limit would b
effective.
Senator Shipstead, Republican, o