Evening star., 1941-07-12

(COnIlnueQ from fuSu rage
stopped and searched by Ger
man raiders, but only the Robin
Moor had been sunk. There also
was a reported denial of stories
that the aircraft carrier Ranger
had been hit by a German bomb
while observing the Bismarck en-
gagementD
Knox Questioned Three Hours.
Secretary Knox was subjected to
a three-hour grilling in a closed
session. Later committeeman, who
requested that their names not be
used, quoted him as saying that he
was against involving this country
directly in the European war, adding
that he believed President Roosevelt
would avoid active participation In
the conflict.
Mr.. Knox was said to have dis
cussed the Navy's part in the
American occupation of Iceland, but
to have denied that it was con-
structing bases in Ireland.
Chairman Walsh, talking with re-
porters after the meeting, pre-
dicted that the committees report
would clear up a lot of questions"
about the Navy's operations. He
said the report would be read by
Mr.. Knox and Admiral Stark. before
it was made public. TO guard against
disclosure of any military secrets.
Senator Wheeler. Democrat, of
Montana, said yesterday he would
not be surprised if the American
Navy undertook to patrol the sea
lanes all the way across the North
Atlantic.
Mr.. Wheeler. foe of administra-
ton foreign policy, declared he had
authoritative information that talks
looking toward closer collaboration
of the American and British Navies
already were under way.
"Another Step to War"
He said it was possible that these
would result in patrol activities by
American vessels from this country
to Ireland, and declared this would
constitute another step toward in
volvement in this war"
Meanwhile, Government officials
who refused to be quoted by name
guardedly discussed reports that the
United States might be in imminent
danger from Axis operations in
South America and the Western
Pacific. Word to that effect, it was
declared, impelled the War De-
partment to ask Congress for i'm
mediate liberalization of the Selec-
tive Service Act.
These sources said that Secretary
of War Stimson and Gen. George
C. Marshall had advised congress
sional friends that the Philippine
Islands was "the sore spot at
present and that Nazi inflltration
in some South American countries
was "at the danger point"
Gen. Marshall, the Army Chief
of Staff. recommended to Secretary
Stimson last week that Congress
permit drafted men to be sent out
side the Western Hemisphere and
be kept in training for more than
a year-thus voiding two restric-
tions placed in the basic law last
year.
Mr.. Stimson and Gen. Marshall
were reported to have attempted
yesterday in a visit to Capitol Hill
to convince House leaders of the
necessity of liberalizing the law, but
with little if any success.
Speaker Rayburn has suggested
that inducements, such as new Of
ficers' training schools, might be
established to influence drafted men
to volunteer trr at least one year
more of training after their l2-
month compulsory service is COM
pleted.
Gen. Marshalls suggestions re-
ceived a COL reception generally in
Congress and there were reports
that no hearings on the subject
would be held until canvass Of
sentiment disclosed how much
change i' the law Congress could
be expected to accept.
Informed legislators said that
while the question of keeping the
men in uniform for more than
year might be worked cut, there ap-
parently was not even a compromise
in sight on the Western Hemisphere
limitation Issue.