Neutrality Renewal Rushed through Congress

The Neutrality Act was up for its second renewal. It was due to expire at midnight tonight. Both houses of Congress pass extensions of the Act.

In the House, there was not a single dissenting vote. In the Senate, there were those who voiced concern. It eventually passed in the Senate with a vote tally of 41-15. There were no abstentions.

Under the legislation adopted today, the President could proclaim also the "placing of restrictions on the shipment of certain articles and materials in the addition of arms, ammunition or implements of war from the United States, to belligerent states or a state where in civil strife exists, is necessary to promote the security or to preserve the peace of the United States or to protect the life of the citizens of the United States."

However, the resolution leaves to the discretion of the President the finding that the "cash and carry" step is necessary.

There was apprehension of the "cash and carry" clause. Mr. Vandenberg objected to the discretion which he saw as written all through Pittman's compromise resolution, on the ground that "the real war decision, so far as we are concerned is actually made when we choose our neutrality formula".

in the House there was virtually no debate.

The National Council for the Preparation of War issued a statement from its headquarters expressing gratification at the passage of the legislation. In the statement, the Council said "each neutrality law passed by Congress is stronger that last one, showing the determined pressure of the American people for protection against war."