Evening star., 1941-01-25

Bullitt declared he did not believe
the German people would stand
up under bombing as the British
people have"
After all" he added, " the British
are basing their resistance on all the
things that are good in life"
Questioned by Representative
Stanley. Democrat, of Connecticut
| Mr.. Bullitt said there was general
misunderstanding in this country OF
the French governments arrange
ments to retain control of its flee,
after the surrender to Germany.
THE French were absolutely ano
firmly convinced" Mr.. Bullitt said
that they had placed their feet ir
such ports and had given such or
ders to its officers and men that
those ships would never fall in the
hands of the Germans or the
Italians"
He said he had absolute knowl-
edge" that the fleet was ordered tc
defend itself from any attempted
seizure by the Germans or Italians
Rather than turn over her ships, the
| officers were ordered to sink them
the former ambassador said, adding
Il am absolutely convinced of the
good faith of the French in this mat
ter"
While Mrs. Rogers was pressing
Mr.. Bullitt about the possibility OF
German attack on this country, he
replied that the world has seen
Hitler walk into Paris, into Warsaw
into Vienna.
He will walk wherever he can
and If he can, believe he would
walk into independence Hall" Mr.
Bullitt continued. You know how
he feels about the Liberty Bell"
Sees No Just Peace Now.
do you think it possible to have
anything like a just peace at this
time?" asked Representative Burgin,
Democrat, of North Carolina.
Il do not" Mr.. Bullitt replied.
When Representative Fish ques-
toned how 'totalitarian" powers
could gain foothold in Latin Amer
ica if the United States had ade-
! quate bases there, Mr.. Bullitt said
we would not control the bases there
if the domestic government estab-
lished a totalitarian state and "in-
vited" some foreign power in.
The same thing happened to the
Rumanian oil wells" the witness
said. They were controlled by Brit.
ish and American interests but they
passed to German control the min
ute Rumania swung over"
Representative Luther A. johnson
Democrat, of Texas. asked whether
it was necessary from a national de-
fense standpoint to give aid to
Britain.
I'VE really should be providing
materials for defense at the same
speed as If we were really in war,
Mr.. Bullitt replied. II believe pres
ent production is too SLOW"
Sees No Abuse of Power.
Representative Richards, Demo-
crat, of South Carolina asked Mr.
Bullitt whether he believed the
President would abuse" the broad
powers the bill would confer upon
him.
Strengthening in his chair. the
witness said such a possibility was
so "inconceivable' that it was diff
cult to discuss seriously, but added
slowly and with emphasis:
Il personally know the President
would rather give away his two eyes
than give away the Navy"
Smacking the table for emphasis
Mr.. Bullitt said that personality OF
the President and the fact that he
had fought not only to strengthen
the Navy, but devoted the last eight
years to trying to make life better
for all Americans, had been lost
sight of in the debate over his pos
slble use Of the powers.
ITO feel that you can't give power
to that man, to whom on earth can
you give it?" he asked.
Applause from the spectators
brought another rebuke from Chair.
man Bloom.
Opposes a Limitation.
Informed by Mr.. Richards that he
intended to offer an amendment tc
prohibit the lending or leasing OF
any arms without certifcation by
the Secretaries of War or Navy ano
their respective chiefs of staff that
the equipment was not needed fol-
American defense, Mr.. Bullitt said
he would prefer to see no such linn.
ltation in the bill.
He explained that the President
was the only member of the Gov
ernment responsible for considerine
all aspects of the problems involved
in the bill and the necessary au-
thority should be left with him
'untrammeled"
You mean" prompted Mr.. Rich
ards, that you would be willing to
see half a dozen of our battleships
leased to the British if it were for
the best interests of United States?'
Mr.. Bullitt laughed and answered
eyes, but you're getting into pretty
big figures when you talk of battle
ships"
Policemen Of Civilization"
Gen. Organ, World War COM
mander of the 9th Division, de-
clared that when France and Great
Britain took up arms against Hitler
after he had invaded Poland, they
were acting as the policemen of
civilization.
THE French policeman was shot
down, but not killed" he went on
"Gangster fashion. Hitler holds the
French policeman as hostage. The
British cop fights on. The United
States, like a spectator, has thus far
refused to join the hard-pressed Of
flcer of the law in a fight which, II
lost, will constitute disaster of ap-
palling consequences to u.s."
When Representative Fish askee