Munitions from America
The progress of the Neutrality Bill in the United States is very satisfactory. Rumours that the Senate was to embark on one of its interminable filibusters proved false, and the final vote on abolishing the arms embargo, 67 to 22 in favour of the Government's proposals, was substantially better than had been expected. Even so, there was not, and is not, warrant for regarding a smooth passage through the House as certain. The majority generally predicted, indeed—some 10 or 20 votes in an assembly of 435—is much too narrow to be safe. But the House, which began consideration of the Bill on Tuesday, started well. The first votes were on procedure only, but a margin of 61 votes-237 to 176—on the right side is substantial. The technical position is that by this vote a joint conference between Senate and House is decided on, to reconcile the Neutrality Bill just passed by the Senate with the Neutrality Bill passed by the House (but not the Senate) last session. The prospect is that the Senate's Bill will be accepted in all essentials, in which case discussion in the House itself should be brief, and it is even possible that the measure may receive the President's approval this week. That, however, is unlikely. It is conceivable, moreover, that the House, where isola- tionism is well represented, may refuse to follow the Senate's lead. But even at the worst the export of aeroplanes is assured, for that is permitted by both Bills, and the decision cannot be reversed.
Previous page
