ROOSEVELT’S PLAN

Grey River Argus, 19 December 1940, Page 5

ROOSEVELT’S PLAN

TO AID BRITAIN Lease or Loan War Materials [Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] » (Received Dec. 18, 8.5 p.m.) WASHINGTON, December 17. President Roosevelt has revealed that his Administration is considering the building of additional armaments for the United States, and their loaning, or leasing, them to Britain. He said that there was “banal talk” ot making additional dollar loans or gifts to Britain, but that the plan of leasing United States materials, or selling them, subject to a mortgage, was a possible solution to the question of how to extend more aid to Britain I' Mr Roosevelt added: “Since the best! defence of Britain is the best defence of the United States, American armaments would be of greater value if used for Britain than if kept in storage here.” Mr Roosevelt is trying to eliminate (

the dollar sign from the controversy

over ho\y best to increase United States aid to Britain. The United States, under this plan, might take over future British orders for certain munitions and other implements of war which the British need. The United States could pay for them manufacture, and could then loan, or lease, them to Britain, to be returned after the war. If equipment were in good shape, the United States would ac-

cept it back from the British on their payment of a reasonable fee. If it were damaged or destroyed, the British would agree to replace it. Mr Roosevelt said that two or three cases were under consideration as to whether the Government should take over the plants that are refusing to f co-operate, in the defence programme. I He said, however, he saw nothing in the present situation requiring the| proclamation of “unlimited emergency.” It was problematical whether this would speed-up the production.

Asked whether ships which might be built and then loaned to Britain would be delivered under the American flag, he said they need not necessarily be. They could fly any flag. He said it was unnecessary to send American ships and crews into the war zone.

He said he did not think that this plan would bring the United States any closer to war. He said a lot of nonsense was being written about the financing of British orders. He said that no war had been won or lost through the lack of money. Regarding loans or leases to Britain, he said: “If your neighbour’s house is on fire, when you possess a hose, you do not ask first for fifteen dollars as the price of the hose, but you help to put out the fire. Then, if the hose is ‘Okay’ your neighbour returns it with thanks. If it is smashed, he offers to replace it.” He said he thought it was narrowminded to think only of repealing the U.S.A. Neutrality Act and the Johnson 1 Act, and then lending money to Bri-j tain to spend in America.

Mr Roosevelt said that his tentative plans—which, he emphasised were. not final—did not call for .the taking over of all future British orders, but it did call for the completion of a large number of British orders with United States funds. He said that he was speaking of future British orders. He believed that the ( British possessed sufficient exchange for the orders they already had plac- 1 ed. 1

Mr Roosevelt said his plan would require enabling bills for appropriations which he would recommend to Congress, soon after it conevenes oil January 3, 1941. Mr Roosevelt was asked to comment on Senator Hull’s assertion that the first half of 1941 will be cruicial for Britain. He said: “The programme for speeding up defence production is to keep everlastingly at it, and push' people.” He emphasised Britain and the United States used the same types of equipment. Therefore the United States could build them with

United States funds, since they created production capacity. He Said they might have to consider outright gifts of war materials later to Britain, but was not sure these will be necessary, or that the British desire them as gifts.

BRITISH ORDERS

Held up till Help is Assured

[Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.]

WASHINGTON, December 14

The Secretary to the Treasury, Mr. Morgenthau, stated British Treasury officials had said that Britain cannot order any more war supplies in the United States until American financial aid is assured. Mr. Hull (Secretary of State), reported to have told the Defence Commissioners and other members of the Government that Britain will probably face a serious crisis in the Spring, unless delivery schedules are speeded up.

Mr. Hull stated that on the basis of full information of foreign developments, including the British situation, he was urging all possible speed in defence production. Personally, he favoured making the maximum number of United States merchant ships available for sale to Britain. The Associated Press Washington correspondent has learned that the shipping situation is being examined to determine whether additional merchant shipping can be made available for rushing supplies to Britain. It is reported from Washington that a formal application for financial assistance, -which will not necessarily take the form of a loan, has been made by a British Treasury official, Sir Frederick Phillips, in the course of consultations he has been conducting at Washington with the appropriate United States officials. The British Government is anxious to make as full use as possible of the vast resources of the United States. The chairman of the United States Foreign Affairs’ Committee (Mr Sol Bloom) to-day urged the speeding up of the elimination of all obstacles in the rendering of help to Britain. He advocated the repeal of the Neutrality Act to permit United States ships to carry supplies to Britain. In the meantime, President Roosevelt has announced his intention of

consulting with Mr. Cordell Hull when he gets back to Washington . from the Caribbean. He intends considering the submission of a Bill to Congress repealing the Johnson Act Democracy in Britain is neither dead, dying nor decadent, declared the United ’ States General.' W H. Hayes, opening the American Eagle Club, London. The sensibilit’es of the people of America are dull beyond comprehension, if they fad to con-) tribute everything to the All’es. The Americans here had a ringside view of the greatest crisis the civilised world has ever faced and had seen the British display indomitable spirit. It is reliably stated that Mr. Roosevelt is considering Mr. Norman Armour, now Ambassador to the Argentine, as Mr. Kennedy's successor at London. It is believed that Mr. Armour’s name has already been submitted to the British Foreign Office.

, Colonel Knox announced an award i of contracts for forty additional det stroyers which will cost 253 million [dollars. j LONDON, December 17. , j In the four months commencing August, the British output of aircraft and engines was double the output of last year. This was stated in a broadcast by the Minister of Aircraft Production, Lord Beaverbrook, who said that the machines were coming from the United States in an increasing flow oi types. The fighting aeroplanes were of excellent quality. Some had been equal to the best produced in Britain. According to the programme during

1943, 26,000 aeroplanes would reach Britain from the United States. “During that year, the famous three thousand a month scheme will be realised.” Lord Beaverbrook likened Hitler in his conspiracy to dominate Europe to a man sitting on a three-legged stool, one leg being supported in the air. “We have knocked from under the (German leader one leg of his stool — ; (supremacy in the air. We have seized . control of the air by day, with fight- '

ier squadrons of Hurricanes, Spitfires, [Defiants and Whirlwinds.” I But, Lord Beaverbrook continued, Hitler is fashioning another leg—an attack on shipping at sea. As to the short leg, it might become firm and Stronger.,Although the British Navy would prevail, there must be assist-j ance from the air.

“We must recognise, too,” he continued, “that he may be making preparations for an invasion of Britain even before Springtime comes." Lord Beaverbrook concluded his broadcast with an appeal for more bombers.

There are persistent reports that the Government has asked Mr. Lloyd George to become the new Ambassador to Washington. Mr. Lloyd George called on the Prime Minister (Mr. Churchill) at No. 10 Downing Street. He remained with Mr. Churchill for some time.

Not Wanted U.S.A. AND LLOYD GEORGE (Received Dec. 19, 1 a.m.) NEW YORK, December 18. “British statesmanship would have jto be pretty bankrupt if it could do not better than exhume ‘the Welsh Wizard.’” This sums up the American newspaper comment on the suggestion that Mr Lloyd George might become Lord Lothian’s successor.

DUKE OF WINDSOR WILLING MAIMI, December 17. The Duke and Duchess of Windsor have departed in the yacht “Southern [Cross” for Bahamas. Ten thousand cheered them off. The Duke of Wind-, [sor, in answer to a question, said he had not been offered the British Ambassadorship to the United States, but added: “I certainly would accept if 1| thought it in the interests of our two| countries.” I

LABOUR’S OBJECTION

WASHINGTON, December 17

Mr Murray said he was presenting Mr Roosevelt tb-morrow with the Committee of Industrial Organisation’s proposals on Labour’s co-opera-tion in the defence effort. He blamed delay on to the stupid manner in which the programme is administered. He said an unjustified number of contracts have been given to only thirty per cent of the available plants.

U.S.A. EXPULSIONS.

WASHINGTON, December 18.

The U.S. Justice Department has ordered the expulsion from the United States of a German, Karl Scheuring, aged 18, and Princess Maris Hohenlohe, a Hungarian, who were with Wiedeman, when G-men located him. Regarding Scheuring, Federal officials reported: “We know thiitythree good Nazis who in the event of a crisis would not hesitate to betray the hospitality or a country where they are guests.” WASHINGTON, December 17.

The Government has ordered the transfer of three hundred Nazis of the crew of. the scuttled Columbus from San Francisco to New Mexico, where they are being housed in a disused labour camp. It is explained citizens in Sah Francisco complained the Nazis were spreading propaganda. City officials say the case was so embarrassing no community was willing to receive them.