NEUTRALITY LAW

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20070, 17 October 1939, Page 7

NEUTRALITY LAW

WASHINGTON DEBATE SAFETY-ZONE TALK POSSIBLE AMENDMENT PACIFIC SHIPPING (Reed. Oct. 17, 9 a.m.) NEW YORK, Oct. 15. Democrat members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee are preparing an amendment relaxing the shipping restrictions in the Neutrality Bill applicable to the Pacific. Senator Barkley predicts that the general debate will be completed on Wednesday, but the Opposition is believed to have mapped its speaking schedule until next Friday. (Both factions have agreed that the Senate should begin reviewing the amendments at the latest on October 23, and the final vote may be expected in the same week. The Washington correspondent of. the New York Times states that the Administration leaders are apprehensive concerning the injection of a “safety zone” discussion into the debate. The critics see a zone involving influence which would be effective only at the risk of war. Views of Belligerents Wanted The Administration is anxious that there should be little debate on the proposal pending the receipt of replies from belligerent nations, of official view being that until the attitude ii' the belligerents is known, it will be impossible to foresee further action by the American Republic. The Washington correspondent of the New York Times says that the Administration leaders are expected to enlist all .the reserves of strategy and strength to e’nd the debate. The form of tiro proposed drives has not been disclosed, but it is reported that the- leaders are ready to invoke any Parliamentary weapons, short of applying the closure.