Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-04-21
Congress
In Recess as
-Nchy- Acted
Stands Ready to Back
Presidents Steps
By GEO. ROCKWELL BROWN

CONGRESS was in recess
~ when the most serious crisis
ever to have occurred in the
relations between the govern
ments of the United States and
France was precipitated.
But there could be no mistake
In interpreting congressional
opinion of this crisis.
1t stands ready to back up our
state department in any steps
which the President and Acting
Secretary Welles may deem nee
essary. Indeed, Congress antici-
pated this very crisis a year ago,
and enacted legislation by which
it could be met.
On April 10, 1941, the Presi-
dent approved an act, known as
Public Law 80, of the seventy
seventh Congress. which ex-
pressly makes the following dec
laration of American policy:
S1-That the United States
Il would not recognize any
transfer, and would not scqulesce
In any attempt to transfer. any
geographic region Of this henri
sphere from one nom American
power to another American
power; and
SSO-That II such transfer or at
- tempt to transfer should APP
pear likely, the United States
shall, In addition TO other meas
ures, Immediately consult with
the other American republics 10
determine upon the steps which
should be taken to safeguard
their common interests"
IT ALSO will be recalled that
L the meeting of the foreign
ministers of the American re-
publics, held at Panama, Oct. 3,
1889. adopted a resolution pro-
viding that a consultative meet
ing would be convoked with the
urgency that the case may re-
quire," in the event of a crisis
such as has now arisen with
respect of French possessions in
the Western Hemisphere.
But il seems clear. from the
language of the law quoted
above. that if any change in
sovereignty should appear likely
and II does now appear likely
the United States would not
have TO see the situation endan-
gered by the necessity OF calling
a Pan-American conference, but
in addition 10 doing that could
resort 10 other measures.
No doubt those other meas
ureS" could include the immedi-
ate military occupation Of Mar
Unique. and other hemisphere
possessions OF France.
The state department on Fri
day of last week significantly
permitted il TO become known
that il at any time action by the
United States with regard TO
these possessions should become
necessary, that action would be
taken.
This Is precisely what Con-
gress intended should be done
when it enacted the act of April
10, 1941, and Congress stands
ready today to support any and
all moves that this government
may take to prevent the Darlan-
Laval government at Vichy from
granting any concessions 10 the
NaZis in the Western Henri
sphere.
THESE concessions doubtless
Il would be secret AT first.
Hence congressional opinion is
strongly inclined 10 the view
that the United States should
hesitate no longer. but should
take immediate possession of all
French possessions in the West
Indies.
The concessions that Vichy
might make, and perhaps has
made TO Hitler, could give 10
him important submarine and
air bases from which the whole
American coast and the Panama
Canal could be attacked.
Most senator's and House
members with whom I have
talked are of the opinion that
the state department has tempo
riZed too long with the Petain
government.
They are Of the opinion that
the time has come for the United
States to get tough
They are tired of having the
enemy enjoy all the advantage
of surprise.
They believe that an agrees
sive course of action now by the
United States would inspire the
people of France to resist.
They demand sign that the
United States and Great Britain
are going to win the war.