Evening star., 1941-02-04

ing demoCraCies. while defeat for
the bill would mean encouragement
and JOY for the war-crazed die
tatOrS.
1T would be a colossal blunder
for us not to recognize the fact
that by giving England every pos
Sible aid, we are keeping the totali-
tartan governments at bay. while
We in America build up our own
defense through the manufacture
of more planes. ships and mechan-
lied equipment.
1T is time that we were very
blunt in admitting that aid to Eng
land not only is helping to preserve
one of the last bulwarks of DEM
ocracy, but also is a time guarantee
for our own national defense pro-
gram. Given the time we can
re-arm to the extent that no nation
would dare attack us. but as of the
moment let us not lose sight of the
fact that Hitler, Mussolini Stain
and Konoye. Inc. already are firt-
ing with the benefits they could
derive from inroads in the Western
Hemisphere.
While l favor every possible aid
to England l also at the same time
insist on a full measure of salts
faction of financial and land-grant
repaymentS. 1t is time that We
became tough with all foreign pow
erS, but before We can be tough We
need an adequate military and naval
establishment. Before we can arm
TO the hilt We need time. Aid to
England guarantees this time. The
leaSelend bill not only would en-
courage Britain in its struggle
against ruthless war mongers, but
also would deal a heavy blow to
the hopes and plans of Hitler. Mus
Solini, Stain and Konoye. Inc"
Although House debate yesterday
assumed partisan tone, the pre-
diction was made today by some
Democratic leaders that in the end
large number of Republicans
would vote for the passage of the
bill.
Further, it was said. that the
question of what further amend
ment might be given serious con-
sideration by the administration
forces will be brought up in a meet
ing of the Democrats of the House
Foreign Affairs Committee prob
ably tomorrow.
Meanwhile. the Associated Press
reported that House Republicans
fighting the British-aid bill were
seeking to enlist Democrats in the
drive to write major notifications
into the legislation.
Representative Fish intimated
that some converts already had been
made, for he told reporters he be-
lieved Democrats would sponsor
some of the opposition's restricting
amendments.
The House amendments men
toned by Mr.. Fish are aimed at cir
cumscribing the powers which the
bill would give President Roosevelt.
Among them are proposals to limit
British aid to one year, instead of
twko; to hold the programs cost to
two. to hold the programs cost to
transfer of American naval vessels
or their use as conveys.
During the House debate yeSter-
day Representative Luther Johnson,
Democrat, of Texas, and Represent
ative Faddis. Democrat. of Penn
Sylvania, among others, argued that
this country faced the menace of
invasion should Great Britain be
defeated.
I'VE are in danger not from one
side, but from both sides" said Mr..
johnson, his voice rising to a shout.
IF the Panama Canal should be put
out of commission, we would have
our Navy bottled up in one ocean,"
U. S. Seen "Next Victim"
Mr.. Faddis expressed the opinion
that the United States would be "the
next victim of the axis onslaught" if
Britain lost.
Representative Woodruff, Repub-
lican, of Michigan, on the other
hand. dismissed as complete non
sense" any idea that Mr.. Hitler is
ready to sail into New York Harbor
a few days after England falls"
The only unlooked-for f1are-up in
yesterdays six-hour debate came
when Representative Dirksen, Re-
publican, of Illinois called "extraor-
dinarily unusual procedure" visit
by Lord Halifax, the new British
Ambassador. to Mr.. Bloom. r
Mr.. Dirksen asked Mr.. Bloom If
! there was any information about