PROMPT PASSAGE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20499, 8 March 1941, Page 5

PROMPT PASSAGE

SENATOR’S CALL LEND OR LEASE BILL VITAL PACIFIC ISSUE BRITAIN’S DEFENCE LINES (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Mar. 8, 11.50 a.m.) WASHINGTON, .March 7. Senator George, appealing for the prompt passage of the lease or lend bill, declared that the world situation was grave, particularly in the Pacific. “A break-down in Britain’s Pacific, defence lines would mean the collapse of the whole British Empire and would lead the world into chaos,” lie declared. Senator Ellender yesterday submitted the administration’s amendment to the bill which declares that the measure shall not enlarge the Presidential powers and will not change the existing laws relating to the movement of the United States Army and Navy. President Roosevelt’s View President Roosevelt said to-day that Congressional delay in enacting the lend or lease bill would inevitably slow down the delivery of war materials to the embattled democracies. A Cambridge, Massachusetts, message states that in letters to Senatois Walsh and Lodge, Mr. Compton, the president of the Massachusetts Technology Institute, predicts that further delay in disposing of the lend or lease bill will bring dictatorship to the United States. Delays and tactics which may be tolerated in normal times become intolerable in an emergency, he said.

A Gallup survey asked men aged from 21 to 29 years whether they favoured the aid bill. Fifty-five percent replied yes and 24 per cent no. Ten per cent gave qualified replies and the remaining 11 per cent gave no opinion.

Dr. Gallup, the director of the American Institute of Public opinion, points out that the sentiment in the older-age groups is likewise predominately in favour of the bill.