LEASE & LEND BILL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 28 February 1941, Page 5

LEASE & LEND BILL

EARLY PASSAGE EXPECTED FINAL INVENTORIES. GREAT BRITAIN’S REQUIREMENTS (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright* NEW YORK, February 27. The “New York Times" Washington correspondent states that, on assurances from leaders of the Senate and House of Representatives, the Lease and Lend Bill will be passed without further substantial amendment. President- Roosevelt took steps today to transfer to Britain all possible war supplies from the present stores of the army and navy, without crippling the American armed forces. This followed a series of conferences at the White House between the President. Cabinet and other advisers. It is believed to be the first definite move to assemble existing war supplies and move them in the direction of embarkation for England. Administration sources revealed that final inventories of British needs and existing American supplies were checked 'at the White House conference, Britain listing long-range guns, machine-guns and ammunition. The opinion is expressed that 500.000.000 dollars’ worth can be shipped as soon as Congress passes the kill.

MR WINANT LEAVES AMBASSADOR IN LONDON AGREED ON POLICY OF AID TO BRITAIN. NEW YORK. February 27. Mr. J. G. Winant. before his departure today, by air clipper for Lisbon and thence to London, made this statement: “I go to England on no special mission but as the American Ambassador. I want to serve fully the President and the Secretary of State, Mr, Cordell Hull, who trusted me. We have agreed on a policy of material aid to Britain, and I will do my utmost to carry out that policy, but whatever is done must depend on what the American people and American production make possible in the weeks and months ahead. We know what England is doing and we recognise the gallantly, sacrifice and unity of her people under the leadership of Mr. Churchill.”