SLOW PROGRESS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 October 1939, Page 5

SLOW PROGRESS

IN AMERICAN NEUTRALITY DEBATE BUT REPEAL OF EMBARGO ASSURED. USE OF AMERICAN FLAG BY FOREIGN SHIPS. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright. WASHINGTON. October 25. In contrast to yesterday’s speed, the Senate made only snail-pace progress in today's Neutrality Bill debate, causing the Administration to doubt the Bill's passage before late tomorrow afternoon or on Friday. However, an easy passage is apparently only a question of time. Such leading isolationists as Senators Borah and Nye today doubted whether they wiil muster more than 30 votes and have surrendered all hope of preventing the repeal of the arms embargo. Senator Barkley today agreed to accept an amendment by Senator Tobey io penalise the use of the United States flag and other markings by a foreign vessel if he would make the penalty a three months’ ban on the use of American ports instead of the proposed confiscation of the ship and cargo and fining and imprisoning the master, which would raise the serious question of the United States' rights as a neutral. A decision had not been reached at the adjournment.

BAN APPROVED

DENIAL OF ENTRY FOR THREE MONTHS. ALLEGED DANGER TO AMERICAN VESSELS. (Received This Day, 9.45 a.m.) WASHINGTON, October 26. The Senate adopted Senator Tobey’s amendment, according to Senator Barkley’s version, namely three months' denial of entry to American ports or territorial waters to foreign ships using the American flag. Senator Tobey asserted that the British had used the flag device in the last war in order to mislead German submarines and similar use in the present war would endanger American vessels. He admitted, however, that he had asked Mr Cordell Hull whether it had occurred to date and had been assured in the negative.