Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-03-02
Other Senators Join
Attack on Ex-Envoy

provisions OF tho Neutrnl1ty ACT
Of 1889 In IN effort TO show that
the most important section Of
that act, namely, section 2, In
not covered by tho pending
legislation.
81 pointed out yesterday that
under the heading Of defense
article tho President may deal
with any kind Of IN article under
the sun. under the definition"
IL have been trying TO esti-
mate what powers the President
might have under the general
lease-lend provisions," said Sem
ator Taft, interrupting.
"It seems to mo perfectly
clear that he might, for instance,
consolidate our fleet, In effect,
either ut Gibraltar or Singapore,
with the British fleet.
"In all probability he could
send our fleet over there. He has
power to do 40. Certainly after
tho bill Is passed and we express
approval Of tho policy that
Britain's defense II our defense,
he would BE- Justified In sending
our fleet there.
Ship Trade
off some British destroyer
happened to BE- damaged, he
could turn over an American do
stroyer for use while II was be-
ing repaired. Tho Same thing
might be done 1t Singapore.
Docs tho senator see any reason
why We could not work out
consolidation Of our fleet with
that of tho British under the
terms Of tho bill
let me say" replied Senator
Wheeler, shat ! think that I'M
der the terms Of the bill the
President could 60 20 far ~ to
do tho things mentioned by the
senator. That Il. he could trade
. ship, or lease II to Great
Britain, while one Of the British
ships WAS being repaired. or
something Of that kind.
However, before get
through today ! think J can con-
ciusively show 10 every member
of the senate who wants 10 see
the light that the President Of
the United States has no power
under the Constitution Of the
United States to send our battle
ships into foreign waters -
commander in-chief of the army
and navy"
81 agree with the senator"
said Senator Taft, but what
bothers me Il that after this
Congress has deliberately ex-
pressed the opinion and the be-
lief that the defense of Britain
Is the defense Of the United
States. the President undoubt-
edly could send battleships to
defend American interests. to
defend America wherever Amer
Yea might b. defended.
May Go to Gibraltar
"Tf we pass the hill. Congress
IL definitely taking the position
that the defense of Britain IL
the defense Of America; and the
moment we do that. II seems TO
me that we step beyond the
mere question Of constitutional
power.
Under his general power To
send the navy wherever IL nee
essary for defense. the President
may send II tn Gibraltar. He
may consolidate II with the
British fleet, not In actual shoot
ing warfare. perhaps. hut In q
way In which II can support the
British fleet. In . way In which
II can do all the reserve work,
and exchange one destroyer for
another. as I have suggested.
so, n seems to me the bill Is
a little broader than merely
power to lend or lease. IL is the
expression by Congress Of ap-
prevail Of the theory that British
defense IL our defense, and that
our defense IL the British de-
Tense and therefore that the
President Ia justlfied- in going
shead and conveying vessels, in
landing men In various places
where British defense IL neces-
ssry: because we by this hill are
expressing our opinion that that
IL the defense Of the United
States"
Tho President" said Senator
Wheeler. "can successfully elude
the requirements of both Sec.
tions . and 3 Of the Neutrality
Act by simply not issuing the
general proclamation in the first
plare. He has already discovered
this gap IN the act and has made
use Of II. He has not Yet found
that . state of war exists be-
tween Japan and China, and 90
long rs We choose TO ignore
what IN going on In Asia there Is