Evening star., 1941-06-24
u. 5. Adopts Policy
OF Watchfu| Waiting
On Aid 10 Soviet

Russio Is Expected
To Request Release of
Frozen Assets
BACKGROUND
President has authority under
LedSe-Lend Act to send tO1r ma
teridls to Soviet If he considers
Russian defense against Hitler
Ism Dital to American security.
Before Nazi attack on Soviet,
this country had sharply re-
stricted strategic exports to Rus
sid on grounds OF otUn defense
needs. Any action to support
Russia no,U 1Dould be based on
realization that any forces OPP
posing Hitler benefit American
defense and yould imply no sup
port OF Communism as such.
The United States, its sympathies
officially cast with Russia in her
fight against Germany, cautiously
avoided any immediate commit
ments today on extension OF direct
material aid to the Soviet.
Uncertainty over the Red Army's
ability to hold out against the Nazl
attackers long enough to make et-
fective use of weapons from this
country was believed to be one OF
the factors inspiring a policy OF
watching waiting" on the question
of lease LEND or other active Amer
lean assistance.
There also are practical difficulties
of transportation in the way OF send
Ing tools of war to the Soviet, as well
as the question of whether increas-
ing the flow of supplies to Britain
10 bolster her air offensive against
Germany would not be Of greater
value in overcoming the common
menace of Hitlerism.
Decision Withheld,
At any rate, Acting Secretary OF
State Welles made it clear yesterday
that this Government is withholding
any decision on the question OF max
ing Russia a beneficiary under the
Lease-Lend Act pending a deflnlte
request for assistance from the
Soviet.
In informed quarters it was gen
orally believed that Russia would
not Immediately ask lease-lend aid,
but would seek release OF frozen
Russian assets in this country and
permission to buy and export vital
defense materials.
The idea OF aiding Russia as much
as practicable, in line with Mr..
Welles' declaration on behalf OF
President Roosevelt that any rally
ing of forces opposing Hitlerism re-
bounded to the benefit OF American
defense and security. although COM
munism is as 'intolerable" to this
country as Nazi-ism, gained sub
stantial backing in the Senate.
Danger Removed.
In connection with suggestions
for relaxation of restrictions which
have largely prevented Russian
purchase and export Of strategic
materials from this country IN re-
cent months. it was pointed out
that the Russo conflict has
ended the danger of such supplies
reaching the Reich via the Trans
Siberian Railroad. The suspicion
that some American goods were
being shipped to Germany by
that route was one reason for the
restrictions in effect before the
wars spread to the east the Asso-
ciated Press reported.
The sealing of the trans-Siberian
route. officials noted in passing,
also cuts off the substantial sup
plies which Germany was reported
to be receiving recently from Japan
and closes the last big door for
German nationals seeking to return
home from the Western Hemisphere
through the British blockade.
Before her purchases were re-
stricted, the Soviet was a large
buyer of defense machine TOOLS,
other types of machinery needed
for arms production, and some raw
materials. Although United States
defense needs must now be con-
sidered first, it was indicated that
Russia would be permitted to pur-
chase whatever supplies could be
spared.
Clark Opposes Aid to Soviet.
Senator Clark, Democrat OF MIS-
sissippi, in attacking lease-lend as
sistance, told newsmen today that i
am absolutely against giving Rus
sia any help. We don't have enough
defense equipment for our own use,
and a practical alliance with Com
bnunism would do inestimable dam
age to our own political structure.
It would only encourage Commun-
Ism in this country"
Clark, a member of the Foreign
Relations Committee and an oppo-
nent of administration foreign pol
lev. remarked, however, that the
Russo German conflict reminded
him that Russia was the means OF
the downfall of two of the greatest
soldiers in history-Napoleon and
Charles XII of Sweden"
On the other side of the fence,
Senator Van Nuys, Democrat, OF In
diana, announced in favor OF ex-
tending aid to Russia under pro-
visions of the Lease-Lend Act. I'VE
can help them make it a good
fight," he declared, lin the hope that
both Hitler and Stain will be ex-
terminated"
Sees Defeat of Hitler.
Senator Van Nuys said he believed
the Russian engagement ''is the be-
ginning of the end of Hitler. He
can't spread his air, naval and land
forces so thin. He finally has taken
on too much territory"
Senator Byrnes, Democrat, OF
South Carolina, acting Democratic
leader, said it would "be a routine
step" to grant Russia aid under
the lease-lend program because she
Is opposing Nazi-ism. But he added
1t might be difficult to deliver the
goods.
From Senator Connally, Democrat,
of Texas, high-ranking member OF
the Foreign Relations Committee,
came a statement that, Il think
we might send Russia some war