Evening star., 1941-04-28
ChurchiII's Address
May Intensity Convoy
Debate in Congress
Fresh Material Is Seen
In ForcefuI Comments
On Petrol Decision
By ths Associated Press.

By tbs Associated Press.
Prime Minister Churchill's high
appraisal of the role OF the United
States Navy's extended offshore
patrol in the battle of the Atlantic
aroused keen interest today on Capt.
tol Hill.
Ever since President Roosevelt
disclosed Friday that naval YES
sells were operating great distances
at sea in the interests of hemis-
phere defense, many legislators have
been frankly uncertain just what
significance the widened patrol zone
might play in the program of aio
to Britain.
Mr.. Roosevelt carefully avoided
connecting the extension of the pa
troll with anything except defense
considerations. but the words of Mr.
Churchill yesterday were interpret
ed in a number of quarters as proof
that the step was calculated-at
least incidentally-to furnish the
greatest help possible to the Royal
Navy in maintaining Britaln'S North
Atlantic life line.
PhraseolOgy Attracts Notice.
The forcefulness OF some OF MI.
Churchill's phraSeology attracted
special notice. The Prime Minister
spoke of the patrol extension as rep
resenting tremendous decisions,
which brought him ''indescrlbable
relief" He also said the United
States was extending Britain naval
support" within the limits OF the
patrol plan, and voiced the belief
that this country did not intend to
be frustrated in its policy by per-
mitting leaSe-lend supplies to be
sunk by Nazi action.
Mr.. Churchill'S comments on the
extended patrol policy, in the opln-
ion of some members of Congress.
would introduce fresh material Tor
argument in the intensifylng un-
official debate over whether the
United States should resort TO con-
VOWS to insure the safe delivery
abroad of BritiSh-aid cargoes.
Secretary of State Hull, comment
ing at a press conference, described
the Prime Minister'S speech as an
excellent presentation of the British
position.
One early reaction was Unat the
British Prime Minister'S remarks
might have the effect Of pushing
the convoy question into the back
ground. at least for the present. The
Importance he attached TO the as
sistance expected from the patrol,
it was pointed out. would not en-
courage advocates of a convoy SyS-
tenn to press their efforts until the
effectiveness of the patrol plan had
been tested. (Ships on patrol would
report the presence OF any Subma-
rine or surface raider sighted, thus
enabling shipping to avoid the vi
cinityD
AS the convoy discussion proceed
ed, meanwhile. Senators Norris, IN
dependent, of Nebraska, and Russell
Democrat, of Georgia came out In
favor of transferring more United
States naval vessels TO Britain be-
fore instituting conveys.
Senator Norris, who fought un-
successfully to have prohibition
against convoys written into the
British-aid bill, told reporters he
favored giving Britain battleshlps
cruisers or other fleet units needed
to protect her Atlantic shipping.
II the United States itself should
undertake convoy duty, he said, 1t
might tie up most of the fleet in
the Atlantic and thus lead Japan
to try further expansion in the
Pacific.
While saying he was anxious to
see American supplies reach Britain
Senator Russell informed reporters
he did not yet favor conveys and
would prefer the transfer of Ameri-
can warships to the British.
Senator Glass, Democrat, of Vir-
ginia, strong supporter of admin
istration foreign policy, told report
ers he wanted Ito deliver the goods
Great Britain needs" and added :
st am in favor of conveying the
goods we sell or give and, if neces-
sary, carrying them in our own mer-
chant ships. 1t is time to start con-
voying now-we should have beer
doing it long ago"
War Plea, Says Wheeler.
In Chicago, Senator Wheeler,
Democrat, of Montana said Mr..
Churchill was appealing for Amer
lea to send convoys-when the
President has said conveys mean
shooting and shooting means war"
"Mr. Churchill is appealing to the
American people to come into the
war" the Senator asserted.
Senator Wheeler contended that
opposition to any of President
Roosevelt's foreign policies at this
time isn't question of trusting
the President-it is a question of
whether you believe the philosophy
upon which this Government was
founded"
Senate opponents of President
Foosevelt's foreign policies gener-
ally have contended that conveys
would lead directly to war and to
sending an expeditionary force
abroad.
An informal poll Of the Senate,
said to have been taken by leaders
az n result of White House in
quiries, indicated at least As of the
95 members would oppose any legis-
lation specifically authorizing con-
Voying.
Tobey Plan Up Wednesday.
Approximately an equal number, 1t
was said. would vote for the resolu-
ton by Senator Tobey, Republican,
OF New Hampshire to prohibit con-
voys il the proposal ever reached
the floor for q vote
The Tobey prohibition will be con-
sidered by the Senate Foreign Re-
lations Committee Wednesday, along
with a resolution by Senator Nye
Republican, OF North Dakota, to re-
duirs congressional approval before
the President could order conveys
There has been some dispute over
whether the President has power to
order conveying without congress
sios1al sanction.