Evening star., 1941-10-05
Ry GOULD LINCOLN.

Senate leaders and Chairman
Bloom of the House Foreign Affairs
Committee. scheduled to confer with
President Roosevelt Tuesday on re-
peal or revision of the Neutrality
Act. are as anxious TO get the Presi-
dents views as Mr. Roosevelt is 10
get theirs. Until they have the full
information which they expect from
the Chief Executive. most Of them
are unwilling to commit themselves
to any specific course.
1t has been emphasized from the
White House that this is to be a
bipartisan conference, with Repub-
lican leaders taking part. II IS
probable that House Minority Lead
er Martin, will be invited to attend.
Senate Majority Leader Barklev,
who returned to Washington yes
terday. would vote for outright re-
peal. it was disclosed in a poll made
by the Associated Press. He said
YESTERDAY. IN an interview. that ne
desired 20 hear what the President
said before he committed himself
to a particular course of legislative
action.
Those expected 10 attend the con-
ference from the Senate are Sena-
tors Barkley Connallv of Texas and
George of Georgia, Democrats. and
McNary of oregon and Austin of
Vermont, Republicans.
Three Choices Presented.
Three choices AT least present
themselves, if the Neutrality Act is
to be changed At this time.
The first is outright repeal of the
entire act.
The second is repeal of that pro-
vision which forbids armlng Ameri-
can merchant ships.
The third is repeal of both the
prohibition against armine mer-
chant ships and the prohibition
against American merchant ships
entering ports in combat zones -
as. for example, the ports OF Great
Britain and Ireland
There would be little real differ
ence between the first and third
choices. Repeal of the armed ship
and restricted travel provision would
cut the heart out of the act.
What the members of Congress
wish to know is whether the Presi-
dent believes that the mere arnlne
OF American merchant ships. to pro-
tect themselves as far as possible
against attack by AXIS raiders is
sufhclent, or whether he believes that
the use of American ships to carry
supplies to the foes of Hitler is nec-
/ essary If full aid is to be given.
1911 Filibuster Recalled.
/ In some quarters the opinion vas
expressed that arming merchant
vessels would not be of sufficient
moment TO warrant amending the
Neutrality Act. President Wilson. in
the winter Of 1917. asked Congress
for the authority to arm merchant
ships. At that time however. there
was no prohibition against their en-
teTlng the ports of beIligerent ma
tons. as now provided in the Neu-
trallty Act. The Wilson armed shin
proposal was defeated BY a filibuster
OF little band of willfuI men"
who filibustered the resolution to
death in the closing hours of the
short session of Congress which
closed automatically March 4 of that
year. The dozen Senators who took
part IN the fllibuster talked until
the hour of adjournment arrived.
II the President desires the repeal
OF the prohibition against the use
OF merchant ships TO 20 to belliger-
ent ports. a very different situation
Is presented. 1t would represent a
complete return to the old principle
OF the freedom of the seas, under
international law. In the opinion
OF members of Congress this would
be followed either by attacks Of
German submarines and aircraft on
American vessels carrying supplies
TO Britain, or a cessation of the
blockade" which Germany has de-
clared against all shipments to Brit
lSh ports. They expect the attack
on American ships. rather than the
latter. They believe further that
this would lead 10 armed conflict
satisfaction was expressed by
some OF the Senators that the Presi-
Gent apparently intends to bring
these issues to Congress for deter
mlnatlon rather than to seek to
accomplish the defeat of the Neu-
trality Act by indirection.
One of the Senators expected to
take part in the conference pointed
out that if the Neutrality Act is
tsee NEUTRALITY, Page A-lOJ