Early U.S. Participation in War

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 80, 3 April 1941, Page 7

Early U.S. Participation in War

Columnists Believe Showdown Near ‘‘CONVOYING WILL START THE SHOOTING” United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright, Received Wednesday, 9 p.m. NEW YORK, April 1. Raymond Clapper, the WorldTelegram’s noted columnist, to- ‘ day writes: “It is probable that , Mr. Roosevelt was foreshadow- 1 ing something more than lend-and-lease powers when he told J the country of the need for ( courage and more courage, j action and more action. It is 1 the belief among almost all in- ] formed persons here that the 1 convoying of goods to Britain will be undertaken soon. This \ is a step that will require courage on the part of the ad- 1 ministration, because it means the risk of active hostilities, to ( which a considerable section of , public opinion is still opposed.” j The columnist Philip Simms, in the same newspaper, said ] to-day he believed a showdown was near, probably within 60 days. Simms expresses the opinion that the United States : will be in the war by June or thereabouts. “Almost everyone is convinced that, if we deliver the goods to Britain,” he added, “then we must use our navy and air force for convoy purposes, whereupon the shooting would start automatically.” Mr. Roosevelt told a press conference that, within recent days, he had allocated 1,080,000,000 dollars for the purchase of defence materials and foodstuffs for Britain and at least one other democracy. He said orders had been given for new production to supplement the 1 aid extended from existing military supplies, and said the new orders were in five categories, namely army and navy, aviation, automotive, agricultural and miscellaneous. He refused to discuss the convoy question.