Evening star., 1941-09-23
Norris Is Doubtful
Congress Would Vote
Declaration Of War
Fish Says He Intends
To Seek Showdown by
Resolution Next Week
By the Associated Press.

Senator Norris, Independent, of
Nebraska. asserted today that re-
peal of the Neutrality Act would
mean war" and he voiced his doubts
that Congress would approve de-
claration of war at the present time
Meanwhile, Berlin sources de-
clared today that Secretary of
State Hull drove America another
step nearer war with his state
ment yesterday that the Neu-
trality Act should be changed.
tMr. Hull told reporters at
press conference that he and
President Roosevelt had said at
the time the neutrality law was
enacted that it would be as likely
to get the United States into war
as to keep it out)
On the question of a declaration
OF war, Representative Fish, Re-
publican, of New York was ready
with the prediction that the House
would vote it down more than two
to-one." He announced he intended
to seek showdown next week with
a ICoOlNllOli bo4llIlE 1Ol 4liAlilNNAAtNSN
war with Germany.
Capitol Hills preoccupation with
international affairs was furthered
by the start of House committee
hearings on new $685. 900, 900
lease-lend appropriation and by the
news that another American owned
freighter had been sunk near Ice
land In waters which President
Roosevelt has barred to Axis raiders.
Indorses Sea Policy.
Senator Norris, although not COM
menting specifically on the latest
sinking, made it clear that he in
dorsed the policy the administration
has pursued regarding freedom OF
the seas The United States, he
remarked, could not recognize any
German attempt Ito map off the
oceans and tell us where we can
and cannot go"
The veteran Nebraskan, only sur
viving member who cast Senate
vote against this country's entrance
into the last war, consistently has
supported the administration in for
eign affairs He emphasized to re-
porters today that he thought all
possible aid should be given to Great
Britain and Russia. And he said,
too, that a request for repeal of the
neutrality law would be a logical
outgrowth" of the administrations
international policies.
h ri hln n
.changing the Neutrality Act to send
our ships to belligerent ports would
mean war. And if We decided to
arm merchant ships that might give
Hitler right to sink them under
international law. Of course, there
Is question of whether he would
not try to sink them without notice
anyway. 1t is possible, too, that he
might back down, but I don't see
how he could after going as far
as he has"
Studies Entire Question.
Senator Norris said he was giving
careful study to the whole question
of neutrality repeal or revision and
added that President Roosevelt also
should study the question thoroughly
before asking that the law be modi-
fed or discarded entirely.
He asserted, furthermore, that he
did not believe the administration
should seek now to precipitate war
against Germany. "If war is to
come" he said, "let it come from
Hitler. I don't believe he wants war
with us. because if he did, we have
given him plenty of provocation al
ready"
Representative Fish, announcing
last night that he would introduce a
resolution calling for an immediate
declaration of war on the Reich, said
he thought cts high time for Con-
gress to act and there can be no
unity in this country until such a
vote is taken.
1.-The American people are op-
posed to an undeclared war. Con-
gress has the responsibility and the
issue should be settled"
Senator Adams Is for Repeal.
In contrast with Senator Norris
views on the Neutrality Act, Sem
ator Adams, Democrat, of Colorado,
was all for repeal of those sections
of the law which restrict American
shipping. Repeal would end the
bans against operating American
merchantmen in combat zones
against the travel of Americans on
ships of belligerent registry and
against the arming of American YES
sells.
Despite all the congressional dis
cussion on the subject in recent
weeks, however, well-informed Sem
ators reported today that the ad-
ministration would make no imme-
diate effort to chance the act. First
1t was said reliably, there would bt
a trial period for the Navy's new
policy of shooting first at hostile
vessels in waters regarded as essen
tial to the defense of the Unitec
States.
Congressional leaders agreed a
yesterdays conference that Mr.
Roosevelt's new lease-lend reques
would meet little congressional op
position. But Senator Adams, Wht
will handle the measure in tn
Senate, had this to say:
THE appropriation should be Gu
down. Originally, when the Presl
dent asked for $7,000,000,000, the Ap