Lend Or Lease Legislation Written On U.S. Statute Book

Northern Advocate, 12 March 1941, Page 5

Lend Or Lease Legislation Written On U.S. Statute Book

Historic Scene As Democracy Vindicated (Received 1.30 p.m.) WASHINGTON, March 11. , PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT HAS SIGNED THE LEASE OR LEND BILL. IT WAS PASSED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES BY 317 VOTES TO 71 WHICH COMPLETED LEGISLATIVE ACTION. There was a final and historic scene in the House of Representatives. Amid applause from both Republicans and Democrats Mr. Martin (Republican, Massachusetts), the floor leader, said he had to vote for the Senate revision. “I voted against the Bill because I am opposed to granting powers to the President which I believed should be retained by Congress. “I feared the Bill would bring us nearer to war, but the majority of both branches of Congress have decided otherwise.

“I realise that Congress, having determined to follow the policy set forth in the bill, it is part of wisdom to act quickly.

Undaunted And Free,

“We have taken .a step unparalleled in American history. All of us pray fervently that the decision is a wise one and that it will preserve peace and security for our country.”

Mr Martin concluded: “Let me s.ay that we stand united for liberty at home and we share in the common desire to see liberty prevailing in every part of the world. Totalitarianism is obnoxious to us all. “We live, thank God, in a country where we can debate these great questions, but once a decision is reached we accept the majority verdict.

"We may differ among ourselves but there is no division in our loyalty to our country. We are one people, an undaunted people, determined that real Americanism shall not disappear from the earth.” Almost all members of the House rose and applauded Mr Martin's declaration of unity. Aiil To Be Prompt.

President Roosevelt has decided to ask Congress to authorise 7,000,000,000 dollars in cash appropriation for aid to the democracies under the Lend or Lease Bill.

Congressional leaders said the appropriations would include the 1.300,000,000 worth of existing army and navy stocks which the bill .authorised Mr Roosevelt to turn over to Britain. Well-informed circles in Washington understand that a sizeable number of United States army and navy bombers are being prepared for flights to England as an immediate token of the United States determination to implement the bill thoroughly. Flying Fortresses.

The army bombers are understood to be Flying Fortresses, while the navy’s contribution is reported to be patrol bombers and long range planes suitable for convoy duty.

It is anticipated that a number of ships will also figure in immediate aid to Britain.

Thqy appear confident that merchantmen and also over-age .destroyers will be sent to Britain very soon. It is reported that light tanks have been assembled for transfer, possibly to Greece.

Referring to the Bill, the Japanese newspaper “Yomiuri” said the U.S. will eventually form convoys of her own merchantmen escorted by American warships to send material to Britain, states a Tokio message.