Evening star., 1941-07-16
Iceland Occupation
Is Active War Role
Senator Taft Says
Wheeler Declares
Visiting M. P. Should
Be Run Out of u. S.

Hx tte Associated Press.
BY sending armed forces to Ice
land and relieving 10000 British
soldiers for action at the front,
Senator Taft, Republican, of Ohio
declared last night, the United
States is taking an active military
part in the war between England
and Germany.
He declared in broadcast address
that occupation of the northern
island by United States naval forces
indicated "a deliberate policy to
involve the United States in war
without congressional action
Senator Taft said the move could
not be construed as defense of sea
routes to England and Ireland, be-
cause passage of American ships
over those lanes is now forbidden
by the Neutrality and Lease-Lend
Acts"
Action Is Not Defense" He Says.
1T Is not defense" he continued,
because Germany is not attacking
us and we are at peace with Ger
many. No one has even Sug-
gested that Germany is going to
attack this. country without sub
DUNG England, and there is today
only a remote possibility of any
such result"
The people, Senator Taft went
on had shown through various
public opinion polls that they were
opposed TO the policy of the war
party
The most authoritative of these
polls" he said was one undertaken
by President Robert NJ. Hutchins
of the University of Chicago. and a
group of educators and Clerics. OF
those questioned in this poll, he
said. 1877 per cent voted no and
203 per cent yes on the question,
DO you believe that the United
States should enter the war as an
active belligerent at this time?"
Assails English Visitors.
Senator Wheeler. Democrat, of
Montana said in the Senate yes
terday that Englishmen who come
over here and ridicule" Congress
should be told to go home and
mind their own business"
He expressed this view after read
Ing to the Senate an interview with
Josiah Wedgewood, a member of
the British parliament, in which
the Engllshman was quoted as say
ing, Tell Wheeler to go soak his
head"
Think of the gall, think of the
insolence of a member of the Brit
ish Parliament coming over here
and ridiculing the Congress OF
the United States Senator
Wheeler remarked.
He added that if member oi
Congress hao done the same thing
in England he would be run out OF
the country just As this man Wedge
wood ought to be run out of the
United States"
Asserting that the United States
vas being visited by British "propa-
eandists.' Senator Wheeler told his
colleagues that he was wondering
how many of them are on the pay
roll of the o. p. M. and how many
refugees are holding other positions
IN the United States Government.
Asks Right to Vote.
In the House. Representative Ben
der, Republican. Of Ohio expressed
resentment over what he said were
statements by Mr.. WedgeWood that
the trouble with you Americans is
you are afraid to assume responsible
itv; your President has assumed a
large share of responsibility it's true
but why haven't you got sensible
Congress?"
Representative Bender said Mr.
"tuEtNoOu SeSIllS " GlllIlh We Ne
already become British colony"
Maybe he knows more about il
than the Congress. but I don't think
the Congress thinks so, Mr.. Bender
added.
Representative Keefe, Republican
Of Wisconsin told the House it was
time for this Congress to demanc
the right to vote on a declaration o1
war
This administration Representa-,
tive Keefe said. does not dare tt
bring before this Congress request
for declaration of war. The Congress
the Representatives of the people
should demand the right to vote or
this question and if the vote is no
these steps by the administration
surreptitieusly leading us into wal
should stop