STIR IN U.S.A.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 May 1941, Page 5

STIR IN U.S.A.

NEARNESS OF WAR BROUGHT HOME REPEAL OF NEUTRALITY ACT DEMANDED. • INTEREST IN COMING SPEECH BY PRESIDENT. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON. May 25. Messages from the United States today indicate that the sinking of H.M.S. Hood off Greenland has helped to bring home to many people in North America the nearness of the war to their country. The reaction in Washington is to emphasise the necessity for an immediate decision regarding United States naval policy, in view of the engagement taking place in waters within the United States patrol. Il is stated that the first portion of the speech President Roosevelt will address to his people on May 27 has already been drafted. In the meantime there has been a fresh wave of opinion concerning the

United States and the war. Two prominent Senators have advocated convoys and the seizing of French possessions in the Western Hemisphere unless Vichy allows them to be used as naval bases. The opinion that it is only a matter of time before the Neutrality Act must be repealed is expressed by another Senator. The "New York Times" says it is essential that American planes should get safely overseas. It is this problem to which the President must address himself. We hope he will get down to brass lacks.”