Speech #760252093

The permissive amendment proposed in H. R. 10213 is simple and easily understood. It provides that to do this job the section of the Neutrality Act forbidding entrance of American ships into danger zones be liberalized. as was done in the case of the Red Cross ships. and that American vessels unarmed and not under convoy be permitted to enter into such zones for the purpose of transporting. from any countries. refugee children under 16 years of age who are fleeing from war zones. provided such vessel is proceeding under safe conduct granted by all of the states now classed as belligerents. This does not mean that the Government of the United States. on its own responsibility or at cost to the taxpayers of .this country. proposes to send our ships to England or any other place. It does mean that generous and charitably disposed individuals and groups may. upon their own initiative. charter American vessels for this purpose. It does not mean that we are going to change or alter our immigration laws. It does mean that these children are to be allowed to enter this country as visitors under visitors permits and not as immigrants under the immigration quotas. This proposed amendment provides further that these American ships are to have painted distinctly and unmistakably on each side an American flag and the statement that such vessel is a refugee childrens ship of the United States. and they are to be fully lighted by night so that there can be no mistake as to their identity.