U.S. NEUTRALITY ACT

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22659, 14 March 1939, Page 9

U.S. NEUTRALITY ACT

Mr Roosevelt May Support Changes reported plan to help DEMOCRACIES (O.TTED PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT.) (Received March 13, 2 p.m.) NEW YORK, March 12. Mr Roosevelt, according to the ‘•New York Herald-Tribune,” is prepared to back the move to repeal the Neutrality Act, but will not take the lead. It is reported that he wants authority to permit belligerents to buy supplies if they are prepared to pay cash and to transport munitions in their own ships. It is believed* that this will harmonise vvith American traditions of neutrality and yet will carry out the Administration’s policy of assisting the democracies. Theoretically, both the totalitarian States and the democracies will be able to buy armaments. Actually, only the democracies have the naval power to protect their ships.

It was revealed to-day that more than three-fourths of American exports of armaments in the last two months went to Britain and France Britain took 10,711,030 dollars’ worth and France 5,594,428 dollars’ worth. Italy and Japan were not granted a single licence. Exports to Germanv were worth only 535 dollars.

NATIONAL OPINION

SURVEY

REPORTED SWING TOWARDS ROOSEVELT POLICY

NEW YORK, March 12.

The latest nation-wide survey by the American Institute of Public Opinion indicates that Americans are swinging in behind Mr Roosevelt s policy of concrete assistance for the democracies in the event of war. Seventy-five per cent, now favour selling food to Britain and France; 52 per cent, favour selling them aeroplanes and munitions, and 83 per cent, are against assisting them with the United States Armband Navy. The institute reports, however, a growing fear that America will not be able to stay out. also the belief that Germany and Italy will attack the United States if Britain and France are vanquished. The survey stresses the momentous shift which is going on within America. Two weeks before Munich the institute found that the majority of Americans were opposed even to sending food to Britain and France, but it now finds that public opinion favours a revision of the provisions of the Neutrality Act.