NO OBSTACLE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23491, 31 October 1939, Page 7

NO OBSTACLE

NEUTRALITY BILL ; SUPPORTERS' OPINION ANNOYANCE IN MOSCOW By Teleprraph—Press Association —Copyright (Received October 30. 7.30 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Oct. 80 Government leaders profess to see no obstacle to the final passage of the Neutrality Bill, and the adjournment of the session of Congress by the end of this week is conceded generally. The only doubt felt is in regard to the size of the majority of those in favour of the repeal of the arms embargo in the House of Representatives. The pressure of various groups in the battle on the repeal issue continues. Thirty Catholic, Jewish and Protestant religious leaders, including Bishop Bernard Sheil, Roman Catholic Bishop of Chicago, have made a joint statement urging repeal. Father Coughlin and Archbishop Francis Beckman, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Cincinnati, broadcast in favour of retaining the embargo.

Telegraph companies report that there is a renewed deluge of messages to members of the House of Representatives, mostly of the organised propaganda type, in favour of retention.

The Senate's vote to repeal the arms embargo, says a message from Moscow, has incensed the Soviet press, which accuses arms manufacturers and profiteers of plotting to drag the United States into the war in spite of the increasing hostility of the American masses to such measures.

It says the decision means that the United States will help Britain and France against Germany.

FINNS GRATEFUL SUPPORT OF CAUSE SINGING DEMONSTRATORS CROWDS OUTSIDE LEGATIONS (Received October 30. 11.50 p.m.) HELSINKI, Oct. 30 Massed choirs led a crowd of 100,000 Finns who assembled outside the United States Legation in singing "The Star Spangled Banner" and the Finnish national anthem. The United States Minister, Mr. H. F. A. Schoenfeld, appeared on the balcony and acknowledged speeches of gratitude for American support. The crowd sang also outside the Scandinavian Legations. The civic authorities of Helsinki have thanked the Britisher Mr. Hugh Sladen and his wife, who is a grand-daughter of General Booth, £pr the splendid work of the Salvation Army during the crisis. Contributions continue to pour in to the Finnish Red Cross. They include gifts from the Crown Princess of Sweden and her sisters.

The Finnish counter-proposals to Moscow are reported to include a reminder that the Russo-Finnish nonaggression pacts require disputes to be submitted to a mixed tribunal for arbitration. REPLY TO SOVIET HOPES FOR SOLUTION PRECAUTIONS CONTINUE LONDON, Oct. 30 Agreement on Finland's reply to the Russian demands was reached last night in Helsinki. Strict secrecy is being maintained over the nature of Finland's reply, but there is general optimism in Helsinki that an agreement with the Soviet can be reached. M. Stalin's statement that Russia does not intend any encroachment on Finnish independence has been received with satisfaction. At the same time, military precautions continue. UNION UNITY FUND EXPOSURE OF NAZI LIES MOVEMENT IN AFRICA British Wireless LONDON, Oct. 29 - The sponsors for a Union Unity Fund propose forming branches throughout South Africa, West Africa, Rhodesia, Nyasaland, Kenya and Tanganyika, "to assist in the war against Nazi paganism," reports the South African press. Tho sponsors also intend to inaugurate a "truthful service bureau," to give effect to their aims by the wide-, spread distribution of pamphlets, by an ideological exhibition of the Union's history illustrating tho political idea of national unity, and by a special "lies detector department," staffed by economists, historians and studcuits of international affairs, to 'combat tho German radio and other Nazi propaganda. There has been a good response to the first appeal for funds.