Evening star., 1941-02-11

lential nominee last year, was
| by action in the air alone. followed
| by invasion on a small scale.
Germany has not been able to ac-
compliSh the defeat of Britain by
air alone" commented Senator VAN
denberg, why do you think such a
victory could be accomplished over
the NaziS?"
DR.. Conant replied that Germany
has not acquired an air supremacy
over Britain. as it did in the case
of Holland. for example. and France
DR.. Conant insisted that the axis
powers might be defeated conclu-
sively by new weapons" of warfare
without great invasion.
FavOrs War as Last Step.
Senator Vandenberg said that DR..
Conant evidently favored some sort
of conclusive victory over the axis
powers.
DO you ask us TO pledge ourselves
to go to ware" he demanded, IF that
became necessary for victory?"
Il would go to war" answered DR..
Conant, IF it was absolutely neces-
sary, but only as last step"
Senator Vandenperg suggested
that it would be the cruelest thing
OF all 10 make the British people
believe this country would 60 to war.
if 1t did not intend to do so. and
DR. Conant agreed
You want it implied by the pas
sage of this bill that America if
necessary will go to war" persisted
Senator Vandenberg.
Not in this bill. said DR.. Consnt,
This bill merely pledges all mate
rial aid. Congress takes one step at
time"
Would it be your view" asked
Senator Vandenberg. that the Brit
lsh people should be assured that if
necessary, We will go to ware"
Yes, that is my point of view"
said DR.. Conant.
Large Crowd Gathers.
Awaiting the appearance later in
the day of the star witness. Mr..
Willkie, the largest crowd that has
yet turned out for the hearings
packed every corner of the spacious
caucusroom in the Senate Office
Building. and scores of others waited
behind wooden barriers outside for
chance to get in.
Applause for Dr. Conant as he left
the hall brought Chairman George
to his feet with a warning that an
other demonstration would result in
clearing the room, as was done on
one occasion last week.
AS he concluded Senator Clark,
Democrat, of Missouri. an opponent
of the bill, said, Il want to compli-
ment you as the only witness to
come before this committee and
state frankly that the bill is a COM
mitment to go to war if necessary.
Il beg your pardon" DR.. Conant
corrected him. Il did not say that"
I said that's what the American
people should do. I don't think the
bill does it."
A moment later Senator Ship
stead. Republican, of Minnesota re-
called that DR.. Conant held the same
views before the November elections,
which brought from Senator Glass,
Democrat. of Virginia, this remark: :
Yes, only the politicians waited
until after the election"
Senator Gillette tried to have DR..
Conant say how far Britain and
America would have to go to render
the Nazis "innocuous.
That is a military question and
I do not see how you could de-
termine it in advance" he replied,
Opinion on Peace.
When Senator Clark again sought
to bring out that DR.. Conant's views
would mean sending men if neces-
sary, as last resort, the university
head answered:
Il have pointed out why I be-
lieve negotiated peace is Hitler
victory"
Senator Clark sought to show that
the alternative would be to con-
quer the German people and have
a dictated peace.
DR.. Conant replied that the over
throw of Hitlerism would not neces-
sarily mean conquering the German
people.
Mr.. La Guardia said new
military policy had been adopted,
and by Congress, since 1898 and 1899
Never before contemplated in this
country he said that after the
World War. those who returned to
Congress, like himself, who had been
in the military service, thought that
the last war to defeat war had been
fought. Consequently, despite the
advice of Newton Baker, then Sec