Evening star., 1941-01-23
fTert of Col. LindberghS state
ment, Page A-8J
By J. A. O'LEARY.


Col. Charles A. Lindbergh declared
today that the combined strength
of the United States and Great Brit
ain could not win the European wal
ION the present basis" and said he
would rather see negotiated
peace" than complete victory fol
either side.
Earlier, he told the House Foreign
Affairs Committee that this country
is in no danger of invasion.
The famous airman, who thrilled
the world by his solo flight across
the Atlantic in 1927, admitted bomb
ing planes could be built to cross
the ocean, drop their bombs and re-
turn, but insisted that neither Eu-
rope nor America could invade each
other successfully, unless internal
collapse preceded the invasion.
He contended that 10000 thor
oughly modern fighting planes
backed by reserves, would be "suffi-
cient to maintain our security re-
gardless of outcome of the Euro
pean war"
Requested later to elaborate on
his statement that a combination
OF the United States and Britain
could not win the war, Col. Lind
bergh said he did not believe that
Germany could invade England un-
less there had been previous col
lapse behind the lines, and neither
did he believe England could in
wade the German dominated Euro
pean continent-with the United
States as an ally-unless there had
been a collapse in Germany.
While the House hearing went
forward, Senator Taft, Republican,
Capitol, proposed substitute legisla-
ton for the aid-to-Britain bill under
which this country would lend Brit
ain $l000,000 900. Canada S500,000,-
600 and Greece $50,000,000.
Second Plan Offered.
Another substitute measure was
proposed by Senator johnson,
Democrat, of Colorado. 1t would
permit the Government to lend
$4,000 100000 worth of war materials
to Britain and receive in return only
periodic reports as to how the equip
ment functioned under battle con-
ditions.
Senator Johnson said such an ar
rangement would give the Army and
Navy valuable information.
Senator Tafts bill would eliminate
all extraordinary powers which
would be granted the President
under the lease-lend measure and
would give the Reconstruction
Finance Corp. authority, on request
of the President and the Federal
Loan Administration, to make the
designated loans to Britain, Canada
and Greece.
Senator Taft said security should
be required unless the Loan Admin
istration finds it is not practical
for the borrower to give it.
The bill would authorize repay
ments in ships or other property
instead of dollars.
Asked About Preference.
Representative johnson, Demo-
crat, of Texas, put the direct ques-
ton to Col. Lindbergh as to whether
he had ever expressed a preference
as between the two sides in this war.
II prefer to see neither side win,' y
the flyer answered, adding that he
would rather see negotiated peace
because he believed complete victory
for either side would leave Europe
prostrated.
In response to questions by Repre-
sentative Eaton. Republican, of New
Jersey, Col. Lindbergh told the COM
mittee he was opposed to the lease
lend bill for two reasons:
First, because I believe it step
away from democracy; second, be-
cause it's one more step closer to
war and I don't know how many
more we can take, short of war"
Asked point blank whether he
favored continued aid to Britain, he
said that was "a very difficult" ques-
ton, but he expressed belief that in
asmuch as the country had taken a
stand on the issue 1--WE cannot very
well justify" merely dropping that
policy.
Big Effect Doubted.
The flyer then predicted that aid
to Britain would add to bloodshed'
In Europe and expressed doubt that
1t would greatly affect the outcome.
Representative Eaton asked what
the United States might do toward
bringing peace under present con-
ditions.
Col. Lindbergh said he was not
prepared to answer that then added
that the first step was to create q
desire for peace"
Representative Eaton asked how
could there be a negotiated peace
since Hitler and his allies propose
to place their race in control of u.s.
and create a new world order.
II believe that we are
strong enough to maintain our way
of life regardless of what happens on
the other side,'' the witness replied
"The only way for our system of life
Is defense at home and not to enter
war abroad where I doubt We coulc
have much effect upon it"
The colonel said that while he
was not an economic expert he be-
lieved this Nation and this hemi-
sphere would be able to take care OF
itself economically and militarily-
even in a devastated worN-but less
IContinued an pare A.9. column IL