DIE CAST

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 March 1941, Page 5

DIE CAST

AMERICAN WAR AID POLICV HUGE APPROPRIATION. ENSURING DOWNFALL OF DICTATORS. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) WASHINGTON, March 18. In the debate in the House of Representatives on the appropriation of 7,000,000,000 dollars, which is the largest single appropriation in the history of the United States, Mr Woodrum made the opening speech. He said that the vast effort which the appropriation contemplates would bring about the ultimate downfall of all dictators.

“I do not know how we are going to pay the bill,” he said, “but I know that America stands ready to dedicate its property, yes, its life if need, be, to preserve its institutions. I am convinced that unless we take this action the day will come when our country will have to meet the dictators and meet them alone.”

Mr Taber, senior Republican member, said: “The die has been cast. This country has decided upon furnishing material to help Britain in her struggle against Hitler. Every single item contained in the Bill has been justified to the last detail. Regardless of what anyone’s attitude might have been about embarking upon a programme of aid for Britain, we have embarked upon that programme and, therefore, we must furnish enough aid to enable Britain to win, otherwise we are in trouble.” Mr Taber said that as late as last week the Army Chief of Staff, the Secretary of the Navy, and other high officials were of the unanimous opinion that all-in aid would be in time to save Britain. Under the Lease and Lend Act, President Roosevelt is already empowered to transfer 1.300,000,000 dollars’ worth of military equipment for the democracies, and when the new Bill is passed, therefore, the total amount available for President Roosevelt’s aid programme will amount to more than 8,300,000,000 dollars. NOTABLE ITEMS FOODSTUFFS & MEDICAL HELP. FIRST FLYING FORTRESS DISPATCHED. WASHINGTON, March 18. President Roosevelt has ordered the Secretary of Agriculture. Mr Wickard, and the Surgeon-General, Mr Parran, to devise a programme extending aid in foodstuffs and agricultural commodities to Britain and other democracies. President Roosevelt said such aid would be financed partially from the Air Bill. He might also make food available to Spain and unoccupied France. Dr. Morris Fishbein, editor of the American Medical Association Journal, said today that Britain will need American physicians to help care for the sick and wounded. Britain was seriously short of physicians and required the aid of volunteer American physicians. A message from Tacoma, Washington, states that a four-motored Flying Fortress bomber with British airmen at the controls has left for Britain. It is the first of 22. NAVAL ORDNANCE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW PLANT. WASHINGTON. March 18. The Navy Department announced that it had signed a 20,000,000-dollar contract with the Hudson motor-car company for the construction and operation of an ordnance plant in Michigan.