Evening star., 1941-09-24


American merchant UeSSelS to
enter Tdr 1UdterS or to be armed
and set up other barriers. When
today'S tuar broke out, arms en-
bdrgo prortsion 1CGS amended.
but other restrictions 1Uere lett
intact.
Preparing to ask Congress next
week for an overhauling of the Neu-
tralty Act, particularly for permis-
sion to arm merchant ships, Presi-
dent Roosevelt held long luncheon
conference with Secretary of State
Hull at the White House today.
Administration decision to seek a
revision of the neutrality statute
was admitted by the Chief Executive
for the first time in a historically
weighted press conference late yes
terday, and came as a climactic re-
action to the sinking last FRIDAY of
the American-oWned freighter Pink
Star.
During the press conference dis
cusSlon, the President disclosed for
the first time that the Pink Star,
operating under Panamanian regis
try, had been sunk by a submarine
attack and that the go-carrying
vessel mounted at least one defen-
sive gun.
In this connection Mr.. Roosevelt
also revealed that other non-bellig-
erent merchant ships likewise are
being armed these days and that
administration plans for placing
guns on American fagships also
extends to the broader task of help
ing arm other carriers.
Frequent Conferences.
With regard to administration
hopes for revising the Neutrality
Act, perhaps to the extent of Civ
ing American ships clearance for
transport of war supplies into bel
ligerent waters, it is noted that the
President has been holding long
consultations each recent afternoon
with Secretary Hull. A decision on
the extent of the requested amend
ment of the law will be made by next
week, Mr.. Roosevelt told reporters
Yesterday.
Earlier yesterday afternoon the
Chief Executive had sounded out
Midwestern sentiment on this con-
troversial issue. both in Congress and
back in the home areas. by calling in
Senators Herring of Iowa and Lucas
of Illinois. influential Democratic
party leaders in their respective
States. Both reported increased
support for administration policy
from their sections of the country.
Rejecting the deep division sure
to develop in Congress were the
initial reactions reported by the As
sociated Press of two New England
Senators. Senator Austin of Yer
mont. assistant minority leader, who
has supported administration for
eign policy. and Senator Tobey of
New Hampshire, bitter Republican
critic.
Emphasizing that he was speak
ing as an individual, Senator Austin
told reporters that there ought to
be unified national support of any
move to bring about outright repeal
of the Neutrality Act
1t was silly to assume. he went
on, that the United States was neu-
trail in the fight against Hitlerism
Conducting Limited War.
I'VE have been conducting eco
nomic and political warfare, carried
out under the pattern laid down by
the legislative branch of the Gov
ernment," he said.
Now We are embarking on a sort
of naval warfare, confined to our
own defensive waters. When we
are ready and if it becomes neces-
sary to defend this hemisphere, We
will take other steps"
Senator Tobey charged that the
Neutrality Act is being evaded and
avoided at every turn" and he said
the arming of merchant ships would
be only another of a sequence of
events that are bringing us into
active warfare"
% Survivors in Iceland.
At his press conference yesterday
Mr.. Roosevelt contributed some ad-
ditional details on the loss of the
Pink Star. He said she had been the
victim of a submarine some 275 miles
northeast of Cape Farewell. the
SouthernmoSt tip of Greenland