Evening star., 1941-04-27
BY JACK BELL.
Associated Press Staf Writer.

Informed quarters said last night
that the White House had made
cautious inquiries as to what would
be the Senates attitude toward leg
islation authorizing conveys to be-
leaguered Britain.
AS a result, it was said, an in
formal canvass was made which in.
dicated that as Senators-three less
than a majority of the present mem
bership of 95-were likely at this
time TO oppose such legislation.
Included in this tentative list, one
legislator said were 25 of the SEN
ates % Republicans. Most of these
have been recorded as likely sup
0orterS of a resolution by Senator
Tobey, Republican, Of New Hamp-
shire to put Congress on record
against use of the Navy to guard the
transportation of war materials
! across the Atlantic.
The Tobev resolution is Sched-
uled to receive consideration We'd
nesday by the Foreign Relations
Committee, with indications that it
will be smothered there by an ad-
ministration majority.
Unlikely to Reach Floor.
While some convoy advocates had
proposed that the measure be car
ried to the floor in the hope Of
defeating it decisively there. such
strategy was regarded as unlikely
in the face Of the distinct Senate
cleavage on the issue.
Similarly, some legislators were
/ said to take the view that if Presi-
dent Roosevelt decided convoys were
necessary. it might be better for him
to order them on his own authority
rather than seek congressional ac-
ton likely to be preceded by lengthy
controversial debate.
Senator's divided sharply during
consideration of the lease-lend leg.
islation on the question of the Presi-
dents authority to order conveys,
with administration leaders gener-
ally contending he had such power
and opponents denying it.
Strategy Meeting Called.
Taking cognizance of this differ
ence of opinion, Senator Nye. Re-
publican, of North Dakota. has
placed before the Foreign Relations
Committee proposal, which would
require congressional approval be-
fore conveys could be ordered.
Majority Leader Barkley said he
thought both proposals would be
voted down when the committee
meets Wednesday. Some other
members said however, that final
| committee action might be delayed
| while a subcommittee investigates
the two measures.
The Presidents announcement
Friday that the neutrality patrol
was being extended as far as might
be necessary for defense of the
Western Hemisphere spurred OPP
ponents of conveys to seek a show
down on this issue. They called a
strategy meeting for next Tuesday.
Patrol Duties Unchanged.
Senators Nye and McCarran.
Democrat, of Nevada, among others,
expressed the view that the extended
patrol would lead to conveys. Sena-
tor Nye said, too. that the Presi-
dents statement would strengthen
growing demands for legislation to
prevent conveying"
Mr.. Roosevelt said emphatically
the patrols duties would not be
changed by its eXtension-that it
would merely keep q watch over
vast ocean areas and report what
it saw.
In naval quarters, however, it was
said that such action should enable
the British to release many warships
from convoy duty in the Western
Hemisphere. Nazi raiders would lose
much of their effectiveness, it was
explained, if their movements we're
known as a result of the American
patrol.