Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1939. ARMS FOR ALLIES.

Greymouth Evening Star, 4 November 1939, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1939. ARMS FOR ALLIES.

it was fully expected that, following the load given by the Senate, the United- States House of Representatives would approve the revision of the Neutrality Bill, including the repeal of the arm's embargo, the extent of the majority is somewhat surprising. Recent forecasts predicted that the voting would be close, and it is therefore all the more satisfactory that the margin was so definite —243 votes to 181. This result is a distinct success for Mr. Roosevelt, whose confidence in his power to rally sufficient votes to ensure, the approval of his proposals has been justified. With the vital vote taken, it is now probably only a matter of a

few days until the Bill is finally approved and put into operation. It. cannot be said that the matter has been decided without due consideration. For the past two months, the Neutrality Bill has been the main topic of national discussion, and the hard fight put up by the isolationalists has resulted in both parties employing every available method in order to present their views to the public. The latter will no doubt heave a collective sigh of relief when the tumult and the shouting die. It is obvious that the actual outbreak of Avar, and incidents such as the sinking of the Athenia, have had a considerable influence upon American opinion. Apart from those Avho disliked the idea of refusing to help the Allies Avith supplies of arms, ammunition, and other implements of Avar, many staunch advocates of strict neutrality have become convinced that their objective, Avhich is to keep the United States out of Avar, is more likely to be attained by the removal of the ban. It has gradually been realised that, by Avithholding munitions, the United States Avould sloav doAvn the pace of the Allied efforts, prolong the Avar, and increase subsequent economic distress in a manner Avhich Avould hurt the United States as much as any other great nation. The President himself has declared definitely that he entertains not the slightest idea of involving America in the hostilities, and her entry is likely only in the event of incidents of a seriously provocative nature.

From the point of view of the Allies the repeal of the arms embargo is a cause for great satisfaction, and it will be regarded as a distinct setback for Germany. When the Senate gave the repeal an overwhelming majority, Herr Hitler was reported to be “infuriated,” and the confirmation of the Senate decision by the House will give him further cause for fury. The “cash-and-carry” provision is to be included in the revised measure, thus belligerents requiring supplies must pay cash and assume sole responsibility for the transport of the goods. Originally, the Administration proposed that belligerents, in buying American goods, should be allowed the customary grant of ninety days’ credits. Senator Borah, the leader of the isolationists, at once claimed that this provision would lead to still longer credits and eventual default by war-bankrupt nations. Unpaid debts in connection with the last war were remembered, and the upshot was that the Administration decided to restrict its proposals to a strict “cash-and-carry” basis for belligerent purchases. Another concession made was in connection with shipping. The Neutrality Bill provided, in place of the arms embargo, a complete ban on the carriage of any passengers or goods whatever to belligerents by American vessels. Such a drastic restriction would have had a serious effect upon the American mercantile marine, and its repercussions would have been felt across the Pacific. The modification of the shipping proposal was worth while, in order to ensure the repeal of the. arms embargo, which constituted the main issue. It has been increasingly evident for some time that popular opinion in the United States is sympathetic to the Allied cause, although not to the extent of taking direct action by the use of force. That may come later, if Germany makes any blunders adversely affecting American interests. Meanwhile the removal of the arms embargo is of immense importance to the Allies, who, in view of their supremacy at sea, wiH be able to draw upon the resources of the United States, a course which Germany, in the absence of her mercantile marine, will not be able to follow. An indication of the far-reaching nature of the decision is given by the fact that the Allied orders already placed are estimated to involve an expenditure of no less than one billion dollars.