Lend-Lease Aiding Allied Victory Roosevelt Shows

Northern Advocate, 26 August 1943, Page 3

Lend-Lease Aiding Allied Victory Roosevelt Shows

i8.0.W. 2 p.m.) RUGBY, August 25. President Roosevelt, in his 11th report to Congress on the Lend-Lease agreement for the period ended July 31, declared that Lend-Lease aid. comprising goods transferred and services rendered, totalled nearly 14,000,000.000 dollars to that date. The United Kingdom received about 45 per cent of ail Lend-Lease exports, but only 33 per cent of Lend-Lease munitions. About 34 per cent of Lend-Lease exports to Britain consisted of foodstuffs. In a letter transmitting the report to Congress, the President says: “In July alone, Lend-Lease aid exceeded a billion dollars. “Lend-Lease supplies are hastening the day of final victory. For the first time the United Nations’ forces occupy part of the homeland of the enemy. Subjugated peoples on Nazi Europe are now aware that the European fortress is not impregnable. The great offensives of the Soviet army, the continued heroic struggle of the Chinese, and the British offensives in other areas, aided by Lend-Lease munitions and supplies, are having their repercussions both on and behind the battle lines. Our might and that of our allies is being felt in the Axis satellite nations of the Balkans and Middle Europe and Nazi Germany as well. Need Not Fear Surrender “From Hamburg to Ploesti people know from first-hand experience with what crushing force the United Nations can strike. Except for responsible Fascist leaders, the people of the Axis need not fear unconditional surrender to the United Nations. People of Axis-controlled areas may be assured when they agree to unconditional surrender that they will not be trading Axis despotism for ruin under the United Nations. ? “The goal of the United Nations is to permit liberated peoples a carefree political life of their own choosing and attain economic security. These are two of the great objectives of the Atlantic Charter. But, until the day ol unconditional surrender, the United Nations will continue with the force of all their power to hit the enemy.

"We are striking hard and are ready to strike harder. Greatly increased United States forces and greatly increased Lend-Lease supplies are on the way to the battle fronts. The longer this war goes on the stronger the United Nations will become. This report on Lend-Lease and reverse Lend-Lease activities should both be an assurance and warning to our enemies. The power of the United Nations is great. The will of the nations is fixed. In this common war we fight as one man for one victory—and we shall have it.” Official Statement

Exports to Russia amounted to 235.000,000 dollars in April, 178.000,000 in May, 138,000.000 in June. Shipments for July were high, and August was expected to be the highest month since Lease-Lend began. The United States sent more planes to Russia than.to any other country, and 57 per cent, of all goqfds to Russia consisted of aeroplanes, tanks and guns. The report disclosed that the American merchant fleet had increased 250 per cent, since Pearl Harbour, and was now growing at the rate of five new ships daily. Ship production was proceeding at such a pace that the difficulty was to supply adequately trained crews.

Approximately 61 per cent of LendLease shipments to Australia have been munitions, including aeroplanes, tanks, landing-boats, guns and ammunition used by Australians and New Zealanders fighting beside Americans, They have played an important part in recent victories at New Guinea and the Solomons.

The report added that Australia and New Zealand were fast becoming tremendous supply bases for operations against the Japanese, increasing emphasis being placed upon development of Australia’s natural resources, arsenals and transport systems. Thirty-five cent goods shipped to Australia and New Zealand from March 11, 1941, to June 30, 1943, consisted of machine tools and raw materials. Plans were also under way to expand food output in Australia. Lend-Lease agricultural machinery and seeds had been shipped to facilitate planting, cultivating and harvesting. Machinery had also been supplied for new canning and dehydrating plants.