Evening star., 1941-02-03

lOgg-brlanQ pact against war, 10
which the axis powers subscribed,
the witness said he also recalled
that there was also nine-power
treaty. and said that on one occa-
sion Great Britain got the United
States out on limb" on that agree
ment.
so, you're mad with the British?"
asked the Senator.
Mr.. La Toilette insisted he was
not.
Mr.. La Toilette responded in the
affirmative when Senator Connally
asked whether he was opposed to
Hitler and Mussolini and their gov
ernmental theories.
You don't want TO see them win
this war, do you," the Texan con-
tinued.
Offers to Withdraw Question.
when you ask that question"
Mr.. La Toilette replied, "it carries
an implication like have you
stopped beating your wife-it sort
OF puts you In the hole. 1t tries to
put our side in the position of say
ing either that we like Hitler and
want him to win the war or in the
position of favoring a policy that
leads to war"
Senator Connally said he would
withdraw the question if Mr.. La
Toilette didn't want to answer it or
was embarrassed" by it.
-
the witness protested warmly. I'm
not embarrassed. I think the best
way to lick Hitler and what he
stands for is to do the job we've
got to do here in the United States
and the Western Hemisphere.
Chairman George of the commit
tee rebuked members of the au-
dience who applauded this reply.
Under questioning of Senator
George, Mr.. La Toilette agreed it
was in 1899, during the Chamber
lain regime, that he had found in
dustrial sentiment in England SYM
pathetic toward trade with the axis
powers.
Senator George asked him if it is
not a fair statement that Chamber
lain represented the business view
point, in striving to remain at
peace, while Churchill represents
the empire view.
Little Change In Setup.
The witness replied that there has
been little or no change in the Tory
domination Of Commons and little
change in the cabinet.
They have Bevin," he said, re-
ferring to the British labor leader,
I'VE have Hillman-for window
dressing"
In his prepared statement, Mr..
La Toilette argued this country
could hold its own in the post war
struggle for trade, granting there
is open competition.
Senator Green, Democrat, Of
Rhode Island suggested the witness
was "an optimiSt" to believe there
would be open competition II the
dictators win.
I'm willing to fight for it in this
hemisphere" Mr.. La Toilette
answered.
Sharp Exchange.
A sharp exchange occurred when
Senator Connally told the witness
the New Deal has been pretty good
to you and your political associates,
hasn't it?"
When Mr. La Toilette asked what
he meant, the Senator added, by
helping you and your brother to get
elected out in Wisconsin"
The witness retorted:
"At no time in the last eight years
has Bob La Toilette or Phil La Fol-
lette ever made a political deal with
this administration.
When the witness described the
bill as carrying out the Presidents
aim TO furnish the materials and
ships to enable England to win a
smashing victory, Senator Murray
suggested that he did not regard a
smashing victory as essential.
IF Great Britain could get enough
help to defend herself from inva-
sion, and to attain equality in the
air, believe that would end the
war" Senator Murray added.
Tells Attitude on Air.
"Are you in favor of aid to Great
Britain?" Senator Murray asked
Mr.. La Toilette said if it was pos
sible to wrap it up in vacuum and
hand it to them" he would be. but
contended that I'VE do not live in
vacuum"
He went on record against the
PHILOSOPHERS of the dictators, but
contended America can lick Hitler
and all he stands for. in this coun-
try" He said his fear is that if the
United States becomes involved in
the war in Europe it runs the risk
of losing its freedom at home.
Although administration strate-
gists forecast defeat for any efforts
in Senate or House to kill the bill,
one highly placed leader reported
President Roosevelt willing to do
anything within reason" to win a
sizable majority in both Houses for
the measure. Mr.. Roosevelt, it was
understood, also is desirous OF
avoiding as much rancor as possible.
Col. Lindbergh to Testify.
Besides Mr.. La Toilette, the COM
mittee plans to hear Col. Charles
Lindbergh and Norman Thomas. So
cialist party leader Both testified at
the House hearings.
Meanwhile, a vigorous fight on
the measure when it reaches the
Senate floor was forecast. One