NOTE OF URGENCY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 October 1941, Page 5

NOTE OF URGENCY

SOUNDED BV PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT INSPIRED BY GRAVE NEWS FROM RUSSIA. HELP NEEDED ON IMMENSE SCALE. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, October 11. The London Press draws attention to the note of urgency running through President Roosevelt’s message to Congress in which.he asked for repeal of the section of the Neutrality Act prohibiting the arming of American merchantmen. “The Times” says: “The same note is being sounded far and wide in the United States by Americans who believe that the national war effort is still capable of being greatly intensified. both in power and speed. “There is no secret about the origin of this new sense of urgency. It is directly produced by the ever-increas-ing gravity of the news from Russia. “The Americans have been moved to the same profound admiration as ourselves by the superb valour with which our Allies have withstood the German onslaught. It will be further stimulated when they read Mr Harriman’s tribute in union with Lord Beaverbrook to the brave people whose fight he has been viewing at close Quarters.

“They know by this time that the Russians will never yield as long as they have arms in their hands, but they know also that the supply of arms is limited, that the means of manufacture on Russian soil are partially crippled, and that replenishment has depended on the United States as well as the British factories.

“British supplies have already reached Russia and more are on their way, but America has pledged herself to help no less than Britain, and America’s resources are larger. It is to the urgent self-interest of every country which is fighting or working for freedom to keep all the others on their feet and in the line. If Russia is to keep her place American help must be on an immense scale and rendered at once.”