Evening star., 1941-10-21
Neutrality
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attack on the destroyer Kearny, the
Senate probably would go farther
than the House. which limited its
revision of the act to removal of the
ban on arming ships.
1T is now likely" he added, that
the Senate will repeal additional
parts, or perhaps all, of the Neu-
trality Act, except those which per-
NIT the Government to license the
sale and export of arms and NUM-
tions."
Want0n Attacks Cited.
when American ships are being
wantonly and unlawfully attacked
with complete disregard of life and
property" Secretary Hull told the
Senate committee, 1T is absurd 10
forego any legitimate measures that
may be helpful toward self-defenSe.
1t is especially absurd to continue to
tie ou. hands by provision OF law
which prohibits arming our mer-
chant vessels for their own defense.
1t would be little short of GRIM
inal negligence for the United
States to cling to the hope OF some
how escaping the fate of other
countries, he declared.
The United States, Mr.. Hull tes-
tilted, cannot run away from a
situation which can only be dealt
with by the firm measures of a
people determined and prepared to
resist. 1t is worse than futile TO
read the war news from overseas
and conclude that each temporary
check to the would-be world con-
oueror relieves us of the need TO
provide fully for our own national
defense"
Mr.. Hull reminded the committee
of the warning he uttered about q
year ago, on october rs, 1910, when
he said Should the would-be con-
querors gain control Of other contl-
nents. they would next concentrate
on perfecting their control OF the
seas, of the air above the seas. and
of the worlds economy: they might
then be able with ships and with
planes to strike the communication
lines, the commerce and the life OF
this hemisphere, and ultimately we
might find ourselves compelled to
fight on our own soil, under our own
skies. in defense Of our independence
and our very life"
In the months which have elapsed
since these words were spoken, the
Secretary continued. Hitler and his
satellites have gained control OF
most of the European continent and
ARE already seeking control of the
sea-
Intimidation Charged.
They have attacked American
vessels, contrary to all law, in widely
separated areas" he asserted, par
ticularly they are now trying to
sever the sea lanes which link the
United States to the remaining free
peoples. Hitler under his policy OF
intimidation and frightfulness has
in effect given notice that Ameri-
can lives and American ships no
less than the lives and ships Of
other nations, will be destroyed if
they are found in most of the North
Atlantic Ocean.
In the presence of threats and
acts by an outlaw nation, there
arises the right, and there Is i'm
posed the duty, of prompt and deter
mined defense. Our ships and men
are legitimately sailing the seas.
The outlaw who breaches and prac-
tices indiScriminate terroriStic at
tack in pursuit of world conquest
is estopped to invoke any law If
abiding nations act to defend
themselves.
The conviction that the Atlantic
approaches to the Western Heml-
sphere are under attack no longer
| rests on inference The attack Is
continuous; there is reason to be-
lieve that it will steadily increase in
strength and intensity"
Rights Not Waived.
When the United States adopted
the Neutrality Act in an effort to
avoid incidents such as those which
preceded this country's entry into
the first World Wa Mr. Hull said
there was no waving of our right
to take the fullest measures needed
for self-defense on land and sea II
the tide of conquest should move in
our direction"
The tide has so moved"
Advocates of delivering the goods
to Britain now claim a one-vote
margin within the committee fol
notification OF the acts prohibitions
against both ship arming and also
against the operation of American
merchantmen to belligerent ports.
Informal polls showed II of the
Senate committee favoring outright
repeal of both these provisions, IL
against and 2 doubtful.
George Wires Instructions.
One doubtful member, Senator
George. has instructed Chairman
Connally by telegram to cast his vots
as Senator Connally voted. Senator
George, however, expected to be pres.
ent when the question of enlargins
the House-approved bill comes III
this week end, and he has indicated