Evening star., 1941-02-11

kie in the campaign. said, No ques-
tlonS."
Several other Senators passed the
opportunity TO roSs-eXamine. and
the first query that came from Sem
ator Vandenberg. Republican, of
Michigan
Senator Vandenberg wanted to
know whether in embracing this
new policy of aid to Britain we are
embracing it all the way" even to
involvement
Depends on British Survival
'I can only give you my judg-
ment," Mr. Willkie replied. The
odds of keeping out depend on Brit
ain surviving, I don't think We have
any chance of keeping out if Britain
falls"
When Senator Vandenberg sug-
gested it would be unfortunate if
we misled Britain into believing We
are going further than We are, Mr.
Willkie said he made it clear to
everyone in London he was speaking
only for himself. He said he also
told them he did not believe Ameri-
can sentiment would support any act
that would take us into the war.
Pressed further by Senator VAN
denberg whether all out" aid is
leading to war Mr.. Willkie replied:
There is only one body that has
the power to declare war, and if I
,1,oro . ,,,o,,oLar ~ Conoracc mould
not vote for declaration of war
until the public sentiment was so
overwhelmingly for it that I would
feel l could do 1t and keep faith
with my constituents.
Senator Vandenberg indicated he
did not think Mr.. Willkie was
answering his question, and asked if
he thought entry into the war would
be necessary finally
If you are asking me that as of
today. l say no. Mr.. Willkie an
swered, adding that what the sit
uation might be year or two from
now. no one could foretell.
M0difies Statement.
Senator Reynolds, Democrat, of
North Carolina asked if, as the sit
uation now stands, he sees any dan
ger of American involvement.
We'll you've got couple of mad
men loose in the world, and I don't
know where they will strike" Mr..
Willkie said. Il have no faith in
them. l can't imagine them attack
iro i,at1
war. thus making our aid more ef-
fective They are cruel, but they
have shown themselves to be fairly
smart
IF Britain collapsed tomorrow,
Mr.. Wlllkie continued, I'VE would be
in the war in a month"
Pressed by Senator Reynolds on
that statement. he modified 1t by
saying he could not specify the num-
Der of days. but believed this coun-
try would be in it very soon there
after.
Senator Gillette. Democrat. of
Iowa wanted to know if helping
Britain to survive would result in
the restoration of Finland and other
small demOcracieS.
Mr.. WILKES answer was that If
America makes its aid effective and
England survives. this country will
be in position to dominate what
is done afterward" Looking toward
the Senator he added that Gentle
men like you will be in position to
see that enslaved democracies are
restored"
Pressed by Gillette.
Senator Gillette pressed Mr.. Will
kie to say whether, if the aid to Brit
ain was not effective and Britain
went down, MI. Willkie was willing
to take the chance of involving this
country in war.
Mr.. Willkie replied that he could
not imagine American aid to Britain
being ineffective. He mentioned
three items which. he said were
greatly needed, destroyers, bombers
and ships.
II asked Mr. Churchill and he
told me they were the great needs
of his country" said Mr.. Willkie.
Senator Gillette questioned Mr..
Willkie about Prime Minister
Churchill's radio address on Sunday.
MI. Willkie said he had heard the
speech over the radio, but could not
interpret it.
Senator Gillette said Mr.. Church
i'll had said the great need was ship
ping, and he asked Mr.. Willkie if he
believed it would be necessary to