REVISION AIM

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20068, 14 October 1939, Page 5

REVISION AIM

NEUTRALITY TERMS AMERICAN CONTROVERSY INTENSIFIED EFFORTS ADMINISTRATION PLANS (Reed. Oct. 14, 10 a.m.) WASHINGTON, Oct. 13. Administration leaders intensified their efforts last night to secure early votes on the bill for a revision of the Neutrality Act. Senator Barkley, the* majority leader, announced there would be a session on Saturday and he expressed the hope that the general debate would end at the week-end. The Administration, which is still counting on a two to one margin in the Senate, is endeavouring to secure a vote before any new event abroad alters the situation here. The administration has also been spurred by reports that the margin of votes in the House of Representative favouring repeal of the arms embargo is narrowing. It is revealed that Senator Shavez of New Mexico, has joined the isolation bloc. Democrats Confident President Roosevelt's spokesmen are confident, however, that they can pass the resolution when they wish. They prefer not to take unnecessary chances with the fluid situation in Europe and are also concerned lest ,he House of Representatives should begin to “play up” questions of Presidential discretion. This alone appears to be the hurdle to the drafting of an amendment liberalising the proposed 'restrictions on American' shipping. Both sides are optimistic tha; a compromise will be reached.

Senator La Follette in a radio debate vvitli Senator Knox, reiterated his declaration that the sale of munitions to the Allies would lead the United States into war. This his'opponent hotly denied, insisting that the United States Navy must be doubled if Britain lost the war and urging' that it was “reckless talk that Mr. Roosevelt wants to get the Uniteu Slates into hostilities in order to perpetuate himself in office."