U.S. ARMS EMBARGO

Greymouth Evening Star, 4 November 1939, Page 7

U.S. ARMS EMBARGO

CLEAR MAJORITY FOR REPEAL MARGIN ASTOUNDS LEADERS ————y—[BY GABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT’] WASHINGTON, November 3. The Washington correspondent of the ‘‘New York Times the size of the majority astounded Administration leaders, the most optimistic having predicted at most a majority of • ie . nature Administration leaders expect the Bill to bei ready for signature on November 4. The only possibility of a hitch is the slender cha of a Senate filibuster against the report of the confeience between the Senate and the House, but unless the C ?he sents to immediate consideration of the report it must lie on t

xaoie lor one day. Contributing factors are believed to be recent foreign developments, particularly the seizing of the City of Flint and M. Molotov’s speech. Technically the House disagareed on the Senate’s measure, but this will not prevent agreement on essentials because the House refused to instruct the conference to insist on the House’s own wording. The belief that there would be an Administration majority inspired a late rush in aviation stocks. Gains ot up to two points were recorded, bringing a new high level. MR. ROOSEVELT’S SATISFACTION. (Recd. November 4, 10.30 a.m.) WASHINGTON, November 3. Mr. Roosevelt, in a statement, said: “I am Veijy glad that the Bill has restored the historic position of the neutrality. of the United States.” He indicated that he would issue several implementing proclamations, the moment he gets the measure ready for signature, to-day or to-morrow. Answering a variety of questions, Mr. Roosevelt said, concerning the demand for the recall of the Ambassador. to Moscow (Mr. Steinhardt), he never believed that bad manners should be-1 get bad manners. ' The mystery why Admiral Raeder | warned the Iroquois would remain unclarified until the end of the war. I He expressed doubt that German vessels would, take advantage of the; Safety zone to enter inter-American • commerce. i HUGE ALLIED ORDERS. ! BILLION DOLLARS INVOLVED, ! WASHINGTON, November 2. ! Administration quarters expect that the repeal of the arms embargo will release orders totalling 1,000,000 dol- ( lars. , -r. • 1 It is authoritatively stated that Bri-] tain is contemplating purchasing 4000, areoplanes, France 3800, Sweden upwards of 250, and Belgium 200. France has already placed a contract for 4600 aero engines to cost 50,000,000,dollars.! The British Air Mission is negoti-, uting for 1600 training aeroplanes. j Three hundred of the war aero-, planes ordered by Britain and France; before! the war are crated ready for. immediate delivery. It is understood; the remainder will be flown to Mon-| tr< The British and French purchases _ . -i J ID-

eluding lorries, motor-cycles, clothing, machine tools, explosives, foodstutts, hospital, supplies, searchlights, • masks, ambulances, tents, saddles, telephone, and pontoons.

TO MINIMISE SABOTAGE.

WASHINGTON, November 2. The Attorney-General (Mr. Murphy) announced that the Justice Department had established an effective and comprehensive system which “minimises the possibility of a large out btirst of sabotaging after the repeal ot the Neutrality Act.” ■ ' It is revealed that sabotage has already occurred in packing placed with machinery, aeroplane engines, whei e oil was mixed with the packing and bonfires were started. “There may be considerably more,” Mr. Murphy added, “but at least they will not be blowing up plants right and left as they did 20 years ago.” Anticipating an early ban on American ships entering belligerent ports, the United States Line is rushing the Washington, President Roosevelt, and American Fanner to sea before noon. All Europe-bound sailings have been advanced by. as much, as five'days.

GERMAN COMMENT. LONDON, November 3. The Berlin correspondent of the British United Press says that a spokesman of the German Propaganda Ministry, commenting on the repeal oi the United States arms embargo, said: “This is outright support for Britain and France. It remains to be seen whether Britain • can get the stuff across.” ( “NO LONGER NEUTRAL” [BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] (Recd. November 4, 10.30 a.m.) LONDON, November 3.“After the repeal of the arms embargo, the United States will no longer be neutral,” declared an English announcer on the Berlin radio. Commenting on the procedure,; whereby a joint committee is ironing out the differences between the Sen-! ate’s and the House of Represent-1 fives’ Bill, he said: “The House is depriving itself of its rights and duties. 1 We want to draw the attention of all well-meaning Americans to this procedure, which might outwit their possible opposition to measures they will havA reason to deplore one day.”