The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-01-16

Fish complained that Stimson wanted to extend the Monroe doc urine all over the world," and the latter lectured him on the expand ing scope of American defenseS and defense lines.
 If our military experts are forced to place the defense line farther out, I am inclined to say they are dead right" Stimson said.
 Earlier, in prepared testimony StimSon had told the committee that the United States must make a supreme effort to arm itself and at the same time work at "top speed" to arm Britain flor the crisis which is confronting her this spring or summer"
 He said that the American arms production problem was more press ing now than it was in 1917" He added that the British aid bill would help achieve the dual objective of making America impregnable and assist in the preservation of the British fleet "as a bulwark in the Atlantic Ocean"
 The committee resumed hearings on the measure after receiving a plea from former President Herbert Hoover to reassure "an apprehen- sive and confused" public by defin- ing at once the specific powers pro- posed to be granted to President Roosevelt.
 HOOver's Statement.
 Hoover'S statement, announced in New York, was transmitted to the committee in a letter to Chairman Sol Bloom. The former president disapproved "our joining the war" but favored every practicable aid, short of war" to Great Britain
 Stimson, Republican, was Sec retary of State in MT. Hoover'S cab met. He was the initial witness at the House committees second day of hearings on the bill. Secretary of Navy Frank Knox. also a Republi- can, was scheduled to follow him.
 ITO summarize" Stimson testified, T feel that the proposed bill is fortnight and clear grant of power which will enable the President to place in operation the best and sim plest plan to carry out a national policy many times stated and en- dorsed. It substantially assists in the job of caring for our own needs ard the needs of those whose de- fense is matter of vital importance to us.
 But it leaves in our hands the power to determine at the time when the munitions are completed the country which shall receive them, and thus to insure that this vital decision is made solely in the interest of the defense of the United States"
 Situation Critical.
 Stimson said that the present sit- uation is more critical than in 1917" when the allies held com- paratively stable line in France. He noted that Italy and Japan were arrayed against the Germans then.
 To-day Italy and Japan are mem- berS of the German axis" he tes- tified. France is conquered and her fleet is incapable of opposing the central powers. The British fleet today stands alone as an obstacle to German control of the Atlantic. ]"
 He said that in 1917 Britain and France supplied the United States with weapons including airplanes and that they constituted "our principle arsenalS."
 To-day many arsenalS in con- quered countries such as France are at the service of the Axis na- tions, and Great Britain, far from being in a position to come to our assistance with munitions, is con- pelled to enter our markets for a substantial quantity of weapons for her own use
 Instead of being able leiSurely to pick and choose and deliberately to arm ourselves, We are not only compelled to arm ourselves entire ly by our own efforts but to do SC at the very time when it is inn perative that our American indus try and plants should be working at top speed to furnish vital wea- pons to Great Britain in order that she may meet the crisis which is confronting her this spring ano summer and thus preserve her fleet as a bulwark in the Atlantic ocean,"
 Bane of British
 Stimson said that the British aiC bill is based on the proposition that the defense of America de- bends in large part to effective aic to Britain and perhaps other na- tions fighting the Axis. A long series of events-repeal of the arms embargo and statements by the President over Is months ago anc assertions of both candidates in the last campaign-make it abundant ly established" that this policy is favored by the public, he said.
 ITO be alert in our defense we must have flexible means witr which to act" Stimson said.
 He explained that the Presidents plan means that the United States will become virtually "sole pur- chasing unit for war materials or. dered in this country. This vii constitute "one great funne through which all production oi war materials in this country vii pass" he added.
 "This means that the United States will then be in a position tc apportion these munitions among ourselves and other democracieE who defense is important to us," ht said.
 Cites Advantages
 StimSon cited the advantages o. the plan as eliminating competition from at least dozen foreign pur. chasing missions in this country enabling manufacturers to dea with single purchaser; avoiding wasteful duplication and a conflict of aims and as enabling us to builc "well-ordered system" of placing contracts.
 He said that the plan authorize. utilization of existing government arsenals, built at cost of million, of dollars for the general de. fense."