ARSENAL FOR DEMOCRACY

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21367, 11 March 1941, Page 5

ARSENAL FOR DEMOCRACY

AMERICAN HELP TO BRITAIN SHIPS, PLANES, TANKS, GUNS AND FOOD BLOW TO MORALE OF NAZISM AND FASCISM (Official Wireless) <Received March 11, 11 a.m.) RUGBY, March 10 The overwhelming majority by which the United States Senate passed the Lease or Lend Bill is regarded as eloquent of the great movement in American feeling in favour of aid to Britain which has occurred in recent months. According to Washington press advices the bill may be signed by Mr Roosevelt on Wednesday, and by the end of the week the first trickle of what w ill become a mighty flood of freighters, aeroplanes, tanks, guns, ammunition and food will start flowing towards Britain. Under the bill the President obtains all the powers for which he asked to make the United States an arsenal for democracy, and the measure is claimed by the British Press as an answer to Mr Winston Churchill s appeal to give us tools and we will finish the job. ’ The Daily Telegraph says: "The course of the bill through the House of Representatives and the Senate has been a demonstration of American resolve, which in itself is a great reinforcement of our cause. It is a blow to the morale of Nazism and Fascism, which propaganda factories will not cure by attempts at hiding material results. The acceptance by the Senate of an amendment proposed by the Administration which makes it clear that foodstuffs and other agricultural commodities may be included in the goods to be transferred is particularly emphasised by the newspapers. “ The delays in the passage of the bill,” says the Daily Mail, had their uses. They have shown Mr Roosevelt's desire to give the bill a fair hearing.” The newspaper adds: “Now the bill has been passed open and above board. While the Senate has been talking the Administration has not been idle. It has been accumulating war material for dispatch to Britain. ’

AMERICAN DESTROYERS LOAN OF BATTLESHIPS PROPOSED BARTER (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) WASHINGTON, March 10 Official quarters in Washington are responsible for a report that the Government is considering lending 40 United States destroyers and 10 light cruisers to Britain, in return for the loan of three British battleships. The United States is plentifully supplied with fast cruisers such as the British need, while England possesses magnificent new capital ships of little service in the present fighting, but which should be valuable to reinforce the United States fleet in the Pacific. The Washington correspondent of the New York Times forecasts big naval changes to take place immediately. This correspondent says he understands that some of the United States Navy’s high-speed oil-tankers may also be handed over to Britain. Bill Signed Tomorrow A message from Miami, Florida, states that the Secretary of the Navy, Colonel Knox, said that Mr Roosevelt indicated in a telephone conversation with him that he would sign the “Lend-or-Lease” Bill on Wednesday. Colonel Knox said that with the signature of the bill America would be able to give Britain that assistance which would make a victory by Hitler impossible. The Administration accepted without opposition an amendment by Senator Harry F. Byrd (Democrat) requiring previous authorisation by Congress to be granted in actual appropriation under the bill before the President could make transfers of defence articles once the 1,300,000,000 dollars’ worth of material was exhausted. NAVAL BASE EXPANSION SENATE APPROVES BILL COST OF 242,000,000 DOLLARS tUnlteii Press Assn.—elec. Tel. Copyrlzht) (Received March 11, 11.30 a.m.) WASHINGTON, March 10 The Senate has approved of the Naval Base Expansion Bill, authorising the limited fortification of Guam and construction work at the Atlantic sites recently acquired from Britain. The sum of 242,000,000 dollars is involved. AMERICA AND EIRE EMISSARY MEETS PREMIER (Unite** Press Assn. —r?ec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, March 10 Cardinal Macßory, Archbishop of Armagh, joined in a talk between Colcviel W. J. Donovan, President Roosevelt’s emissary, and Mr E. De Valera, Prime Minister of Eire, says the Daily Telegraph’s London correspondent. He again conversed at length with Mr De Valera after Colonel Donovan’s return to England.

“GOD BLESS AMERICA” STREAMS OF CRUISERS HELP FOR BRITISH NAVY MR ROOSEVELT TO SPEAK 'United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received March 11, 11.55 a.m.) WASHINGTON, March 10 President Roosevelt prepared today to put the Lend or Lease Bill into operation this week. Possibly he may make a fireside chat explaining the assistance which America proposes to give Britain and other nations fighting the Axis. A high authority here stated that • the people of the British Empire will soon have the fullest cause to sing “God bless America” when streams of American cruisers, tankers and other naval units begin to cross the Atlantic, swelling the British naval forces at a time when they are most needed. After signing the measure the President will speak to the nation. Mr Roosevelt is also expected to ask Congress for immediate additional legislation in the form of appropriations and contract authorisations for billions of dollars for war materials and food. 35 DANISH SHIPS OPERATION BY AMERICA ENABLING BILL PROPOSED ■ Uniiccf rreia Asaii.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received March 11, noon) WASHINGTON, March 10 The Maritime Commission has asked Mr Bland, chairman of the House Committee, to sponsor a bill enabling the United States to take over 35 Danish ships which are idle in American ports. The intention is to operate the ships by the Maritime Commission under charter. No private lines will be involved. , The ships would remain under the Danish flag. There would be no seizure. Technically the British and Germans could arrest the Danish vessels on the hjgh seas, but are not likely to do so if the United States operate the ships. STRIKE IN AMERICA MOTOR BUS EMPLOYEES RISE IN WAGES WANTED INTERRUPTION TO TRANSPORT (United press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) <Received March 11, noon) NEW YORK, March 10 A strike of 3500 motor bus em- : ployees has begun, affecting 27 Manhattan bus lines, carrying 800,000 passengers daily. Transportation is impeded not only by the strike but by an exceptional snowfall. The drivers are asking for an increase of 25 per cent in their wages. INFERIOR HELMETS ACCUSED SENT TO GAOL • (United Pre~s Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) CAIRO. March 9 After an enquiry into the manufacture of inferior steel helmets, two accused persons have been fined £IOOO each and sentenced to one year j and two years’ imprisonment reI spectiveiy.