U.S. NEUTRALITY ACT

Evening Star, Issue 24003, 30 September 1941, Page 8

U.S. NEUTRALITY ACT

COLONEL KNOX CALLS FOR REPEAL “ MIGHT BECOME A BELLIGERENT AT ANY MOMENT " WASHINGTON, September 28. The United States might become any moment a belligerent, depending on “ the will of our avowed enemies,” said the Secretary for the Navy (Colonel Knox), writing in the 1 Foreign Commerce Weekly.’ Ho added that it was imperative to take every necessary measure to preserve foreign commerce and the lives of merchant seamen from destruction by commerce raiders. Colonel Knox called for the repeal of the Neutrality Act and the protection of the country’s three chief ocean trade routes, which ho listed as the North Atlantic route to Europe, the sea lines southward to both coasts of South America, and those across the Pacific to Australia, the East Indies, and China. REVISION CAMPAIGN ARMING OF SHIPS PRACTICALLY ASSURED (Rec. 9.10 a.m.) WASHINGTON, September 29. The United Press correspondent states that Mr Tom Connally, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, will begin a Congressional campaign for the revision of the Neutrality Act by radio to-night. Informed circles believe that modification empowering the arming of merchantmen is practically assured. President Roosevelt will discuss plans with legislative leaders on Tnseday, but it is thought that an amendment will not be submitted to-'Congress until the lendlease appropriation is passed.

AMERICAN PLANES MAINTENANCE IN MIDDLE EAST GREATER PROBLEM THAN DELIVERY CAIRO, September 29. The establishment of an extensive American civil aviation organisation in the Middle East to aid the R.A.F. in maintaining American planes is forecast bv Major-general Bratt, chief of the United States Army Air Corps, after a fortnight’s inspection of British needs in the Middle East. Major-general Bratt stated; that the United States Air Corps could not at present establish its own organisation, but there w-as no ban against a civil aviation maintenance organisation, the cost of which would be borne by the American Government and charged to Britain’s lend-lease account. The maintenance of American aircraft in the Middle East was now a greater problem than delivery. The flow of planes was now steady, and should increase in October and* November. Under the proiposed plan the forward maintenance of American planes would he in the hands of R.A.F. mechanics, with larger bases further back, where the planes would he served by American technicians familiar with the models.

LEGLESS PILOT ATTEMPT TO ESCAPE RECAPTURED AFTER FOUR DAYS LONDON, September 29. It is reported from Rome that soon after receiving his new artificial leg, Squadron-leader Bader escaped from a German hospital, but was recaptured four days later 100 miles from the hospital and heading for the French coast. He escaped by climbing out of a window, using a blanket to reach the ground. A Rome report says he attempted to escape immediately the R.A..F. delivered his new leg on August 19. He slipped away from a party held to celebrate the arrival of the leg. The Germans ever since have taken one leg away each night, returning it in the morning. Bader is now in a regular prison camp. FINAL CLEAK-UP OPERATIONS IN ABYSSINIA SPEEDY EHD EXPECTED (British Official Wireless.) (Rec. 10.20 a.m.) RUGBY, Sept. 29. The surrender of the Italian force at Wolchefit, in Abyssinia, is expected here to accelerate the final clearing-up of the military situation by the capture of the troops still holding out in the Gondar area, probably numbering a total of 6,000 troops, including both white and native. The resumption of British operations with the close of the rainy period has had a speedy result, and it is likely that not only will the Gondar troops be affected by the British capture of an additional line of approach, but also by the moral effect of the surrender of the only other force operating in the country. RUSH FOR LUXURIES FABULOUS BUSINESS IN NEW YORK (Rec. 10 a.m.) NFW YORK. September 29. The ‘Wall Street .journal’ says sellers of luxury goods are doing fabulous business. The most costly furs, the finest diamonds, vintage champagne, silk cravats, and other expensive goods are booming across retail counters at a rate not seen since 1929. There is some buying because of higher taxes ahead and some buying in spite of this, but some buying denotes high living and feverish spending, the traditional portent of inflation.