EARLY PARTICIPATION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 147, 3 April 1941, Page 5

EARLY PARTICIPATION.

UNITED STATES AND THE WAR.

NEW YORK PAPER’S FORECAST

NEW YORK, April 1

Ah- Raymond Clapper, the “Ncav York World-Telegram’s” noted columnist, to-day writes: “It is probable that Mr Roosevelt Was foreshadoAving something more than “lend and lease” poAVers when he told the country of the need for courage and more courage, action, and more action. “It is the belief among almost all informed persons here that the com voying of goods to Britain will be undertaken soon. This is a step that will require courage on the part of the Administration, because it means - a risk of active hostilities, to Avhich a considerable section of public opinion is still opposed.’.’ The columnist, Ah- Philip Simms, in the same noAVspnper, said to-day that it was believed that a shoAvdoAvn Avas near, probably within 60 days. All- Simms expressed the opinion that the United States Avill be in the Avar by June or thereabouts.

“Almost everyone is convinced,” lie wrote, “that if aa-o deliver the goods to Britain then avc must use our navy and air force for convoy purposes, whereupon the shooting would start automatically.”

Italian consular officials, ncAvspapcr men and Government experts have been ordered by Rome to prepare to leave the United States at a moment’s notice, according to a copyright report to the “Ncav York Post.”

Directions to prepare to leave Avero relayed to Italians subjects at four meetings held recently, at Ncav York, Detroit, San Francisco and Ncav Orleans. Italian consular officials and attaches were ordered to prepare to depart. at a moment’s notice to South America.

They Avere also instructed to discharge all but Italian citizens from the consulates and agencies, liquidate all assets, destroy all papers and cut all expenses to a minimum. Italy maintains 61 consulates in the United States.