GOODS FOR BRITAIN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 April 1941, Page 5

GOODS FOR BRITAIN

QUESTION OF AMERICAN CONVOYS PREDICTION OF EARLY ACTION. PRESIDENT REFUSES TO SPEAK. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) NEW YORK, April 1. Raymond Clapper, the “World Telegram’s” noted columnist, today writes: “It is probable that President Roosevelt was foreshadowing something more than lend and lease powers when he told the country of the need for courage and more courage, action and more action. It is the belief among almost al! informed persons here that the convoying of goods to Britain will be undertaken soon. This is a step that will require courage on the part of \ ■ the Administration because it means the risk of active hostilities, to which a considerable section of public opinion is still opposed. The columnist Philip Simms, in the newspaper, said today that it was believed a showdown was near, probably within 60 days. He expresses the opinion that the United States will be in the war by June or thereabouts. “Almost everyone js convinced that if we deliver the goods to Britain, then we must use our navy and air force for convoy purposes, whereupon the shooting would start automatically.” President Roosevelt told a Press conference that with recent days he had allocated 1,080,000,000 dollars for the purchase of defence materials and foodstuffs for Britain and at least one other democracy. He said the orders were for new production to supplement the aid extended from existing military supplies. The new orders were infive categories—army and navy, aviation, automotive, agricultural and [ miscellaneous. The President refused.to discuss the convoy question.

FRENCH SHIPS SUGGESTED USE IN TRADE WITH INDO-CHINA. NEW YORK, April 1. The “World Telegram” says the French Line appraoched the State Department with a plan to use , 18 French vessels located in American waters, excluding the Normandie, for a service between Indo-China and the United States. It was pointed out that large quantities of raw rubber and other defence materials were located in Indo-China awaiting shipment to America, while French merchants in Indo-China have millions of dollars with which to buy American silks and tractors, but have no way of getting deliveries. It* is stated that the French Line is willing to have the Government place a supercargo on each vessel as a guarantee it will reach the ports for which it clears. The entire fleet totals 90,000 tons, including three fast tankers which are stated to be available for any neutral service the United States Government may designate. LEGAL LIEN IMPOSED ON FRENCH SHIPS. AT REQUEST OF BRITISH BUILDERS. NEW YORK, April 2. The North American Newspaper Alliance states that 15 ships of the French Line, including the Normandie, are no longer fully possessed by their ’owners as the result of a legal lien issued by the American courts at the request of British creditors. The French Line formerly paid annuities to British shipbuilders who constructed several French vessels, but the payments stopped when the French German armistice caused the freezing of French funds. This prompted the shipbuilders to request a lien. PROTESTS REJECTED STATEMENT BY MR HULL. (Received This Day, 10.40 a.m.) WASHINGTON, April 2. The Secretary of State, Mr Cordell Hull, announced that the United States has decided to reject formally the German and Italian protests against the seizing ships in American harbours. LEAVING CHILE GERMAN SHIP WITH FOOD CARGO. (Received This Day, 10.40 a.m.) TALCAHUANO (Chile), April 2. The German freighter Osorno has received permission to leave for Germany, with a heavy cargo of foodstuffs. wool and minerals. Naval quarters said there was no provision to prevent the departure and the Government had adopted measures ; to prevent the scuttling or setting on fire of the ships inside the bay.