PRESIDENT'S PLANS

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 126, 30 May 1941, Page 8

PRESIDENT'S PLANS

THE STATE OF EMERGENCY

NO ORDERS INTENDED

WASHINGTON, May 28

President Roosevelt explained to the Press that he had no intention of asking for the repeal of the Neutrality Act and was not considering its revision. He had in mind no executive orders to implement the proclamation of unlimited emergency, without which, he explained, there could be no action under full emergency powers. President Roosevelt was expected to 'clarify the convoy issue at his Press conference. However, he did not specify his views, but said he thought freedom of the seas could be maintained in a manner compatible with the Neutrality Act. He said it would be a violation of the Neutrality Act I for American ships to engage in trade in combat zones, and this step was not contemplated.

A reporter thereupon inquired: "Then, how can we have freedom of the seas?" Mr. Roosevelt replied: "Ships can be forbidden to put into ports where there is a chance that they might be destroyed."

On the labour front, Mr. Roosevelt said he was not making a threat, but the labour objectives of the Government were clear. Action would probably have to be taken if labour and industry did not heed his pleas to merge their minor differences in the interests of defence production.

CONFERENCE WITH AMBASSADOR

Earlier the President spent two and a half hours with Lord Halifax.

Lord Halifax, after his visit to the White House, said he discussed with Mr. Roosevelt a wide range of subjects. There was no discussion about further steps to protect shipping. "That's the President's business," he said.—U.P.A.