ARMS EMBARGO

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20953, 4 November 1939, Page 7

ARMS EMBARGO

REPEAL ASSURED ATTITUDE OF AMERICA SUPPLIES FOR ALLIES (United Prase Aesn. — Elec. Tel. Copyright) NEW YORK, Nov. 4 It is expected in Administration circles at Washington that the repeal of the arms embargo, which is now assured, will release orders totalling 1,000,000 dollars. It is authoritatively stated that Britain is contemplating purchasing 4000 aeroplanes, France 3800, Sweden upward of 250 and Belgium 200. France has already signed contracts for 4600 aircraft motors costing 50,000,000 dollars. A British mission is negotiating for 1600 training aeroplanes. Of the pre-war British and French orders, 300 warplanes have been crated at New York and San Pedro ready for immediate delivery. It is understood the remainder will be flown to Montreal. British and French purchases are expected to cover a wide range, including lorries, motor-cycles, clothing, machine tools, explosives, foodstuffs, hospital supplies, searchlights, gas masks, ambulances, tents, saddles, telephones and pontoons. The Berlin correspondent of the British United Press says the spokesman of the Nazi Propaganda Ministry commented on the repeal of the neutrality law: “This is outright support for Britain and France. It remains to be seen whether Britain will get the stuff across.” Early Signature Likely Administration leaders expect the Bill to be ready for the President’s signature tomorrow. The only possibility of a hitch is the slender chance that there may be a stonewall in the Senate against the report of the conference, but unless the House unanimously consents to its immediate consideration the report must lie on the table one day. The size of majorities in the House of Representatives favouring repeal of • the arms embargo astounded the Administration leaders, says the Washington correspondent of the New York Times. The most optimistic had predicted at the most a majority of 40 votes. Contributing factors are believed to have been recent foreign developments, particularly the City of Flint episode and M. Molotoff’s speech criticising America. Agreement Upon Essentials Technically the House disagreed with the Senate’s measure, but that will not prevent an agreement upon the essentials, because the House refused to instruct its delegates to the conference to insist on the House’s own language in the Bill. The belief of the Administration that it would have a majority for repeal of the embargo inspired a late rush on aviation stocks, which made gains up to two points, bringing new high levels. The Attorney-General, Mr Frank Murphy, announced today that the Justice Department has established an effective and comprehensive system which “minimises the possibility of a large outburst of sabotaging after the repeal of the Neutrality Act.” It is revealed that sabotage has already occurred. In packing placed with machinery and aeroplane engines, oil.has been mixed and fires started. “Maybe there will be considerably more, but at least they will not be blowing up plants right and left as they did 20 years ago,” said Mr Murphy. Ships Rushed To Sea Anticipating an early ban on American ships entering belligerent ports, the United States Line is rushing the Washington, the President Roosevelt and the American Farmer to sea before noon, all bound for Europe. Sailings have been advanced as much as five days. Failing to secure wage increases, 5000 longshoremen went on strike against nine coastwise lines operating 70 ships. The strike is expected to involve 15,000 men on the Atlantic coast.