Internationalists For Joint Action Washington, Mar. 9.
Repeal of the United States Neutrality Act, which would enable the Government to assume a more effective role in international affairs, appeared certain today as isolationists joined internationalists in Congress in support of a bill introduced in the Senate by Senator J. Hamilton Lewis, Democrat of Illinois.
The Lewis Bill proposes the repeal of all neutrality legislation on the Federal statute books and would give the Administration a comparatively free hand in planning retaliatory measures against nations discriminating against United States trade or interests.
Introduction of the bill followed yesterday's statement by President Roosevelt in which he said the Neutrality Act not only had failed fo promote peace, but in some instances had actually promoted war.
Senator Hiram Johnson, Republican of California and one of the leaders Gf the isolation bloc in the Senate, ioday announced he would support any legislation for the repeal of the Neutrality Act. He said he approved the Administration's efforts to wipe the act off the Federal statutes.
However, Senator Johnson said he wanted to know why President Roosevelt had criticized the act yesterday after originally favouring its adoption.
"That infernal thing was rammed down our throats by the Administra~ tion when it was adopted," he said.
President Roosevelt said yesterday that United States influence is not as strong for peace under the neutrality as it might otherwise be—United Press.
"Cash and Carry" Plan Washington, Mar. 8.
The question of the amendment of the Neutrality Act T. M RIN imt on the agen:;'ongress.
would be satisfied with an amend-that the Administration ment extending the "cash and carry clause" to include all armaments. Such an amendment would not, of course, completely satisfy those who, like Colonel Henry L. Stimson, former Secretary of State, would like to see the United States officially take a stand in favour of Democracies. However, the essential aim of the administration, which is to grant France and Britain efficient aid in the event of a war against dictatorships, would be practically attained. Indeed, the two European Democracies would be masters of the sea and thus be fable to obtain supplies from the United States. They alone are able to pay cash for the material they need.
The Neutrality Act expires on May 1 and circles closely connected with the State Department and the White House are optimistic in regard to. the discussions which will take place on this subject in Congress. Several public statements have been made recently, backing President Roosevelt's declaration that the Neutrality Act did not contribute to the cause of peace.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.