Neutrality Revision Bill

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 81, 30 October 1939, Page 5

Neutrality Revision Bill

ARMS EMBARGO LIFTED CASH AND CARRY PRINCIPLE After two weeks of intensified debate the outcome, of which was keenly awaited by the whole world, the American Senate last Friday decided to repeal the Arms embargo, thus enabling the belligerent nations to trade in arms and munitions from the U.S.A. The new bill was passed by the unexpectedly large majority of 63 to 30 votes, and experts on international affairs hold to the opinion that Ijig fgegut seizing of the A.merican vessel City of Flint and her unauthorised detention in the Russian port of Murmansk had considerable bearing on the result. The lifting of the embargo which will enable the Allies to trade in unlimited quantities of war materials provided they are carried in merchantmen belonging to belligerent countries and are also paid for in cash, will not become law until it passes the House of Representatives. The debate in this connection is cxpected to last a few more days and it is confidently anticipated that it will be again passed by a safe majority. The passing of the bill is looked upon in the States as a vote o£ national confidence in President Roosevelt's foreign policy. According to a report from the Bureau of Public Opinion the president has 62 per cent of the people of America behind him.