U.S.A. AID BILL

Grey River Argus, 6 February 1941, Page 6

U.S.A. AID BILL

HOUSE MAJORITY Expected to Exceed 100 [Aus & N.Z. Cable Assn.] . WASHINGTON, February 4. | Before the debate on the Aid to ( Britain Bill, Mr S. Rayburn, the. Sneaker in the House of Representa-' th es, predicted that the Bill would have a majority of 100 to 125 votes. Mr Bloom said the Bill did not authorise the President to use American warships to convoy shipments ol X materials. He said Mr Roosevelt already had this power unaei the Constitution. General Wood, Chairman of the American First Committee, giving evidence before the Senate F ° Committee opposed the Lend and Lease Bill,’ saying that, if it passed, there was a possibility of the United States being involved in war within said that the Government was still undecidecl what to do about idle foreign ships in American ports, but an intensive study might produce a solution at any time. He added that uninformed reports stated that Danish groups were considering with the British, methods whereby 38 Danish ships might be purchasable or otherwise available to the British. Mr Roosevelt has extended the export licensing system to oil-well refining machinery, radium and uranium ore, and calf-skins, due to thc needs of national defence. LORD HALIFAX DEFENDED. WASHINGTON, February 4. Mr Hull, replying to the American. First Committee, defended Lord Halifax, stating: His visits were formal courtesy calls. The State Department does not consider such calls constitute a departure from established precedent." 1000 Planes Monthly FROM U.S.A. AFTER THIS MONTH (Received Feb. 5, 9.10 p.m.) WASHINGTON, February 4. It is learned, from a Government source, that ninety per cent, of the United States aircraft production was sent to Britain during December and January. The number of planes to go may exceed one thousand per month by March. After the passage of the Aid Bill, formulas are expected whereby the United States will send planes that already are attached to the Army, and the Navy, including flying fortresses, to Britain in sufficient numbers to back up the British defence against Germany. Planes ordered' for Britain, but not produced, would then be assigned to the United States forces.

The Governors of the States of South Carolina, North Carolina, Florida, Arkanas, Mississippi. Louisiana, Virginia and Alabama have telegraphed to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, saying that the passage of the Aid Bill is “essential for the safety of the nation."

U.S.A. APPARATUS TO DIRECT’ GUNFIRE, (Received Feb. G, 12.45 a.m.) BOSTON, February 5. Lieutenant Colonel Pau) French, in a radio address, said: The United States Army has a mechanical mathematical wizard for accuracy directing anti-aircraft fire. He said: Ims is the ground equivalent of the secret bomb-sight, and is capable of calculating the exact point at which antiaircraft shells and approaching enemy planes should meet. RIGHT TO STRIKE. A.F.L. UPHOLDS IT 'Received February 6. 12.50 a.m.). WASHINTON, February 5 The American Federation of Labour has denounced the proposals of the Legislative curtailment of labour's right to strike in the Defence industries as being “abhorrent and unconstitutional-” Tlie Federation said that, neither the suspension nor the restriction of tiie right to strike will be accepted by organised Labour. The National Labour Relation? Board has announced a shake-up of the organisation designed to speed up the settlement of complaints. MR HOPKINS AND DUTCH. RUGBY February 4. Queen Wilhelmina' to-day entertained Mr Hopkins at luncheon. Among those present were Prince Bernhard, the Dutch Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, and Vice-Admiral Fuerstner, Commanding the Netherlands Naval Forces in European waters.