Mr. CASE of South Dakota. Mr. Chairman, I rise in
opposition to the amendment.
The CHAIRMAN. The Chair will recognize the gentleman inasmuch as 10 minutes have not yet been consumed on the amendment.
CONTROL OF COMMUNICATIONS—A REAL DANGER
Mr. CASE of South Dakota. Mr. Chairman, the amendment which has been offered would be a real danger if incorporated into this bill. Hie suggestion that communications and the control of communications and news from Europe or any part of the world where war is going on should be put into the hands of one man is the most dangerous suggestion that has been offered in connection with the entire debate upon this bill.
If there is anything that will preserve the free thinking and clear opinion of the American people with regard to any problem of war, it is that the lines of communication and correspondence shall be free and open, that we will know what is going on in the world.
Mr. KVALE. Will the gentleman yield for a question?
Mr. CASE of South Dakota. I yield.
Mr. KVALE. While I am in complete agreement with the statement the gentleman just made, my amendment is offered to provoke thought and prevent the spread of propaganda that always precedes an international conflagration. I do not think we have any quarrel.
Mr. CASE of South Dakota. I appreciate the opportunity to bring to this body also a statement of the President in the address last summer that was already mentioned by the gentleman from Connecticut. He then said:
We can keep out of war If those who watch and decide have a sufficiently detailed understanding of International affairs to make certain that the small decisions of each day do not lead toward war. and If, at the same time, they possess the courage to say "no” to those who selfishly or unwisely would let us go to war.
As an illustration of the importance of free expression of facts concerning the development of dangerous conditions abroad, I might call attention to a few lines that appeared in a column in one of the Washington papers yesterday morning. It said:
Argentine purchased more military airplanes and military equipment from the United States last February than any other country, totaling $703,800. This despite the Roosevelt-inspired Buenos Aires Peace Conference. Mr. Hull, however. Is pointing to reciprocity, since Argentina In turn is selling us more corn than ever before. During the first week of March 2,774,000 bushels arrived.
Those of you who are familiar with the findings of the Nye committee of investigation know that page after page of their report is consumed in detailing the way in which the embargoes on arms have been evaded by countries in Latin America, and yet In this bill we have a specific section that exempts Latin-American republics from the application of the act. This makes those countries the cesspools for the operations of the international merchants of death.
The CHAIRMAN. The time of the gentleman from South Dakota has expired.
Mr. CASE of South Dakota. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent to proceed for 1 additional minute.
The CHAIRMAN. Is there objection?
There was no objection.
Mr. CASE of South Dakota. If there is a joker in this bill, it is in the provision that provides exemptions whereby your district and your district and your district is taxed to provide money to pay for corn-hog checks to keep the farmers of America from growing corn so that a market can be created here for the importation of 2,774,000 bushels of com in 1 week to extablish a balance of trade to pay for $703,000 worth of airplane equipment to go to other countries engaged in war at this time. [Applause.]
[Here the gavel fell.]
The CHAIRMAN. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Minnesota [Mr. Kvale]. The amendment was rejected.
The Clerk read as follows:
FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS
Sec. 5. (a) Whenever the President shaU have Issued a proclamation as provided lor In section 3 of this act, It shall thereafter during the period of the war or clvU strife be unlawful for any person within the United States to purchase, sell, or exchange bonds, securities, or other obligations of the government of any belligerent state or state wherein civil strife exists, or of any political subdivision thereof, or of any person acting for or on behalf of such government, Issued after the date of such proclamation, or to make any loan or extend any credit to any such government or person, or to solicit or receive any contribution for any such government, or political subdivision, or any person acting for or on behalf of such government or subdivision: Provided. That if the President shall find that such action who serve to protect the commercial or other Interests of the United States or Its nationals, he may, In his discretion, and to such extent and under such regulations as he may prescribe, except from the operation of this section ordinary commercial credits and short-time obligations In aid of legal transactions and of a character customarily used In normal peacetime commercial transactions.
(b) The provisions of this section shaU not apply to a renewal or adjustment of such Indebtedness as may exist on the date of the President’s proclamation.
(c) Whoever shall violate the provisions of this section or of any regulations Issued hereunder shall, upon conviction thereof, be fined not more than $50,000 or Imprisoned for not more than 5 years, or both. Should the violation be by a corporation, organization, or association, each officer or agent thereof participating In the violation may be liable to the penalty herein prescribed.
(d) When the President shall have revoked his proclamation as provided for In section 3 of this act, the provisions of this section and of any regulations issued by the President hereunder shall thereupon cease to apply.
Mr. McREYNOLDS. Mr. Chairman, I offer a committee amendment, which is at the desk.
The Clerk read as follows:
Committee amendment offered by Mr. McRetnolds: On page 24, in line 10, after the period, Insert: "Nothing in this subsection (A) shall be construed to prohibit the solicitation or collection of funds to be used for medical aid and assistance or for food and clothing to relieve human suffering when made for a person or persons or organization when not acting for or on behalf of such government or political faction wherein civil strife exists.”
Mr. McREYNOLDS. Mr. Chairman, I should like to have the attention of the membership for 2 or 3 minutes. I want to show why I have offered this amendment. It is really an explanation of what is contained in the original provision, but there has been so much misinterpretation, some of it intentional and some of it innocent, as to what the other section meant, that I do this for explanation.
Here is the section that raised the controversy. Here is the section where you got the picture of the little girl, and they stated that you should vote against this section of the McReynolds bill because you could not send relief to Spain.
I want to say that there is no such thing in this bill. Remember, this section prohibits the loaning or the extending of any loans to any foreign government or belligerent, and that is followed with this:
Or to solicit or receive any contribution for any such government or political subdivision or faction, or any person acting for or on behalf of such government or subdivision.
The only purpose of that provision is to prevent taking up collections in this country and sending them to belligerent governments, but the statement has been made, especially by those who are in sympathy with a certain crowd in the Spanish rebellion, that this would prohibit the sending of medical supplies, and so forth, which it does not. I have added this amendment to show it. This is the amendment:
Nothing in subsection (a) shall be construed to prohibit the solicitation or collection of funds to be .used for medical aid and assistance or for food and clothing to relieve human suffering when made for a person or persons or organizations when not acting for or on behalf of such government or political factions wherein civil strife exists.
In other words, all we prohibit is the collection of funds to be sent to the belligerent government. They can collect money for persons for relief of any character regardless of whatever it may be.
The statement has been made that no relief organization, not even the Red Cross, is in Spain today. I checked on this through Admiral Grayson's office, and was told that there are 10 representatives of the International Red Cross in Spain and that they are administering relief to both sides. The American Red Cross has already donated $15,000 to be used for that purpose, and another call has been made to which they will respond.
