NEUTRALITY & TRADE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 October 1939, Page 5

NEUTRALITY & TRADE

! THE AMERICAN .SENATE I DEBATE i — OPPOSITION AND OTHER VIEWS. MODIFICATION OF SHIPPING RESTRICTIONS. By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright. (Received This Day, 9.35 a.m.) WASHINGTON, October 12. Senator La Follette, in continuing the neutrality debate, opposed change for the reason that it might cripple the United States defence programme. He asserted that when America entered the Great War it was found that munitions plants were designed to produce foreign products which were considered to be inferior to our own. This experience was likely to be-repeated. He issued a warning that if the United States was drawn into the conflict, it would result in the death of democracy, the conscription of labour, a general suspension of civil liberties and the ruin of the nation’s economy, and would evolve permanent dictatorship. Senator Bailey urged a modification of the neutrality measure to permit United States commerce with belligerents “separated from the Mother Country,” and asked for the exemption of Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, the Straits Settlements, French Indo-China, Hong Kong and other -outlying countries far separated from the war zone.” Senator Bailey's proposal is sponsored by Senator Pittman. It is thus indicated that the Administration approves the proposal. Senator Wheeler, joining in the debate against repeal, said: "The American people do not want their boys to hang their washing on the Siegfried Lino and do not want anyone else's boys to hang their bodies on the Siegfried Line." Senators, commenting on Mr Chamberlain's speech, expressed the opinion that the rejection of Herr Hitler’s proposals would not influence the debate. Senator George added: "This certainly means that any immediate truce is out of the question. Senator King' said: "The next move is Hitler's and Stalin’s. The time is not ripe for the United States to offer its services as mediator."