Evening star., 1947-04-15
Truman Fayors
Major Changes
In Neutrality Act
Wonts Permission
To Embargo Arms to
Unfriendly Nations
BY the Assoeio,ed Press

ey me Assoctofed FresS
President Truman today pro-
posed sweeping changes in this
country's neutrality law to per-
NIT the Government to place
embargoes on shipments of arms
to unfriendly nations.
In a message to Congress, the
President said he must be free to
act "in accordance with our position
in the United Nations"
Under section IL of the Neutrality
Act, Mr.. Truman pointed out, the
requirement of impartiality forces
the Secretary of State to treat
aggressor and aggrieved. peacemaker
and troublemaker equally by grant,
ing every application for the license
for the expectation of any arm, am
munition or implements of war un-
less such action would be in viola
ton of treaty"
Inconsistency Pointed Out.
Such provision of law is no
longer consistent with this coun-
try's commitments and require
ments," the Presidents message
said.
1--WE have committed ourselves to
international cooperation through
the United Nations.
IF this participation is to be fully
effective, this Government must
have control over traffic and weap-
ons which will permit us to act in
accordance with our position in the
United Nations and will be adapt
able to changes in the international
situation"
Mr.. Truman added that since
weapons and implements of war
"are material weights in the ball
ances of peace or war" this country
should not be legally bound to be
indiscriminate in how they are
| placed in the scales.
Legislation Proposed.
IF war should ever again become
/ imminent, it would be intolerable
to find ourselves in our present posi-
tion of being bound by our own
legislation to give aid and support
| w dAAy RoWCA WtllCli l1AStlb ldtcI
attack U.S."
| Along with his message, Mr.. Tru-
man submitted to Congress pro-
posed legislation to give the Gov
ernment discretion in the adminis-
tration of controls over licenses, not
only for arms but over other mate
rails designed for military use.
He said the proposed legislation
provides for export controls over Cd
articles especially designed for or
customarily used only in the manu-
facture Of arms. ammunition and
implements Of war, and (2) articles
exported for use, directly or indi-
rectly, by foreign military estab-
| lishment.
| The bill would authorize super
vision of the expectation of arms.
ammunition, implements of war and
related commodities and the impor-
| tation of these articles. 1t also
would provide for registration of
manufacturers, exporters, importers
and dealers in munitions of war and
provide means for giving the Gov
ernment more adequate check in
the international traffic in arms.
Discretion to Be Exercised.
The proposed legislation would
supersede section IL of the Neu-
trality Act of 1899. which set up a
National Munitions Control Board
under the Secretary of State, with
authority to register those engaged
in the munitions business.
This system, set up under section
IL, Mr.. Truman said, was conceived
during a period of neutrality land
with the view to remaining out of
war" Past neutrality legislation has
all been founded, he said, ION the
principle of impartiality toward all
those who would secure munitions
from us, regardless of their mo-
tives."
"The exercise of discretion neces-
sarily requires a revision of the ad-
ministration of the controls present.
Ily in operation" Mr.. Truman told
Congress, continuing:
"The new proposal differs from
section IL inasmuch as it permits
the issuance of various types of IL
cense designed to take into account
under what circumstances and in
what quantities the export of the
articles covered by the proposed bill
should be subject to control"
Under the present law, any one
l. (See NEUTRALITY, Page A-4)