DECISIVE VOTE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 November 1941, Page 5

DECISIVE VOTE

IN AMERICAN SENATE ARMING OF MERCHANT SHIPS . AND ENTRY INTO COMBAT ZONES. MOVEMENT OF WAR CARGOES TO RUSSIA. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) WASHINGTON, November 8. The Senate last night passed the Neutrality Law Revision Bill by 50 votes to 37, authorising the arming of American ' merchant vessels and permitting them to enter the combat zones. The measure now goes to the House of Representatives, where it-will probably be taken upon November 12. The Speaker, Mr Rayburn, has already assured President Roosevelt that the revision will be passed by a majority of 60 votes in the lower Chamber. The Senate earlier had rejected by 78 votes to 11 Senator Clark’s motion for repeal of the Neutrality Act outright. Following his announcement of a war loan to the Soviet Union of 1000 million dollars, Mr Roosevelt has sent a letter to Lend-Lease Administrator, Mr Settinius, stating: “I have today found that the defence of the Soviet Union is vital to the defence of the United (States,” and instructing Mr Setinius to take immediate action to transfer supplies to Russia under lend-lease. The United Press of America says it is authoritatively stated that the Maritime Commission is requisitioning a large number of coastwise and intercoastal ships, giving rise to a belief that the Administration is preparing a mass movement of war cargoes to Russia. NAZI FAIRY TALE AMERICAN TROOPS SENT TO ULSTER. BERLIN COMMENT ON ARMING OF SHIPS. LONDON, November 8. The German radio stated that American troops are being secretly sent to Northern Ireland. “President Roosevelt wants this stronghold in order to take it' over after the collapse of .the British Empire,” it said. According to a message from Berlin, the “Voelkischer . Beobachter” says, commenting on the Senate’s neutrality revision vote: “The arming of a merchant ship automatically changes its character. Roosevelt accepts the responsibility for the consequences when he takes the protection from the ships.

“It is certain that none of these violations of neutrality will prevent Germany from carrying out the blockade against Britain.”