COMPROMISE WIN

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 139, 8 March 1941, Page 12

COMPROMISE WIN

Roosevelt’s Powers To Use Armed Forces ALLAYING FEARS

Averting New Argument On Lease-Lend Bill

,By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Received March 7, 8.10 p.m.) WASHINGTON, March 6.

Administration strategists today drafted a tentative amendment to the Aid to Britain Bill designed to allay fears that the measure would' authorize warlike use of the United States army and navy abroad. Senator Ellender later submitted in the Senate the Administration’s amendment, which declares that the measure shall not enlarge the powers of the President not to change the existing laws relating to the movement of the army and naw.

The development is described as an Important compromise won by the administration on this highly-controver-sial point. Senator Ellender’s original amendment (which was aimed at prohibiting the President from authorizing the. sending of armed forces abroad except to American possessions) had threatened to drag out the debate endlessly.

Senator Ellender had claimed that this amendment would pass with a majority of 1 to 3 votes. On the other hand, Senator George, chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, and Senator Barkley, Democratic leader, expressed confidence that the Administration would have at least 10 votes to spare when a division was taken.

Purchase of Axis Airlines.

Mr. Hamilton Fish announced that he will introduce a Bill in the House of Representatives, authorizing the Administration to purchase the commercial airlines owned by Axis interests in South America for joint operation by the United States and the countries traversed. He said the Axis airlines crisscross 20,000 miles of South America and would constitute a menace to the United States in the event of war or a totalitarian thrust in the Western Hemisphere.

The Maritime Commission informed Congressional leaders that it desires to take over 36 Danish ships in American ports.

The negotiations between private American and Danish shipowners broke down because of the impossibility of insuring the ships and their cargoes, but if the Commission secures charters it can insure them by Government fund. However, the authority of Congress will be necessary. The Naval Committee of the House of Representatives unanimously approved legislation authorizing a permanent enlisted strength of 232,000 for the navy and an emergency strength of 300.000.

President Roosevelt- today received the new Polish Ambassador. M. Jan Ciechanowski. and warmly commended the valiant efforts that are being made by the refugee Government for defence and freedom. The Secretary of the Interior, Mr. Ickes, has approved the transfer' to Britain of 500,000 cubic feet of helium, that was originally ordered by France.

Informed circles in Washington disclosed that the army is contemplating the establishment of a huge air base at Chernofski, Alaska, near the present naval and a'ir station in Dutch Harbour. It would contain sufflcient naval aircraft to guard a sea area with a radius of 800 miles. 'Fite Radio Corporation of America has decided to construct a milliontlollar radio research centre, which will be designed to meet the needs of national defence.

ITALIAN CONSUL RESTRICTIONS

Retaliation By U.S.A. WASHINGTON, March 6. It is announced that the United States has requested Italy to close the Italian consulates at Detroit and Newark, Rhode Island, “for reasons of national policy.” The United States has also notified Italy that movements of Italian consider officials throughout the United States are to be restricted. The Italian diplomatic staff in Washington is excluded from the request, but the Embassy has been asked to keep the State Department currently informed of the movements outside Washington of the military and naval personnel attached to the Embassy. The tone of the State Secretary, Mr. Hull’s, note to the Italian Government regarding the consular restrictions has left/ it in no doubt that the move is a retaliation for the Italian action against consular officials in Italy. Without Precedent. LONDON, March 6. The American request is believed to be without precedent between countries with normal diplomatic relations. It will be remembered that the Italian Government recently asked the United States to close its consulates at Palermo and Naples. It is believed in Washington that the Italian request was made because of the increasing number of Germans arriving in southern Italy.

AUSTRALIA’S DOLLAR RESERVES

Problem Causes Concern In Canberra

(Received March 7, 9.40 p.m.) CANBERRA, March 7.

Diminution of the Australian dollar re-serves in the United States is causing concern to the Federal Government, which has to redeem a New York loan of 74 million dollars in October. The present holdings in the United States are not sufficient to meet the loan, which bears interest at 7 per cent. It, is understood that United States law prevents the flotation of new loans by belligerents during wartime, so that way of overcoming the difficulty is closed. Commonwealth officials are not sanguine about the results of a conversion.

Officials believe that some financial assistance from Britain may be required. Tentative negotiations have been opened by the High Commissioner.