AIDING BRITAIN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23863, 14 January 1941, Page 7

AIDING BRITAIN

MR. ROOSEVELT'S BILL

RESTRICTIONS URGED

POWERS OP PRESIDENT

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received January 13, 6.40 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Jan. 12 Substantial sentiment appears to be developing in favour of imposing limitations upon President Roosevelt's bill to increase aid to Britain. The sentiment is crystallising slowly, but indications point to the possibility that those favouring modification and outright opponents together may muster sufficient votes to put in some restrictions. The most discussed limitations are: (1) A limit of two years on the President's authority to provide materials and repair ships for the democracies; (2) continuance of.the law providing that the army and navy chiefs must certify that present equipment is'nonessential to tho defence of the United States before its transfer; (3) a ban on outright gifts of war materials under the "indirect benefit" clause. Disposal of Materials The Democratic leaders in the Senate and the House of Representatives, Senator Allien W. Barkley and Mr. John W. McCormack, respectively, said that under the bill certificates for the disposal of war material from the Chief of Staff of the Army or Navy would not bo needed. Hitherto such disposal has been limited by a law requiring the defence chiefs to certify that any materials sold must be "surplus." .Messrs, Barkley and McCormack said the President would have power to dispose of new material as well as equipment already in the hands of the Army and Navy. The President would not be required to make public transactions involving the shipment of war materials to friendly nations. Disclosure of Secrets The clause authorising the President to supply a friendly Power with military information would, it was stated, enable the disclosure of details of the Navy's secret bomb sight. 'Hie bill does not authorise the use of American warships to deliver war materials to war areas. Supporters of the Administration praise the bill as justified by the world emergency. The Committee to Defend America by Aiding the Allies, in a statement, says it stands squarely behind the President's plan to aid the Allies. "The time has come for Congress and the people to prove they mean what they say when agreeing that our security demands that aggression be defeated," said the statement, SPEEDING PRODUCTION LEGISLATION PENDING NEW AMERICAN BATTLESHIPS (Received January 13, 5.30 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Jan. 12 The chairman of the House Naval Committee, Mr. Carl Vinson, who is investigating lags in defence production, said he would introduce legislation requiring industry to curtail commercial production where and when it was necessary to speed up armament. He mentioned the possibility of converting the motor industry almost entirely to the manufacture of aeroplane engines or parts. The United States battleship North Carolina, of 35,000 tons, claimed to be the most powerful in the world, will be commissioned on April 11, five months ahead of schedule. Her sister ship, the Washington, is nearing completion. WILL VISIT BRITAIN MR. WENDELL WILLKIE NEW YORK, Jan. 12 Mr. Wendell Willkie, Republican candidate in the American Presidential election, announced that he is going to London by Clipper, probably within a fortnight. He intends to spend about a fortnight in London. "I will talk with anyone who will talk with me," he said. Mr. Willkie added that he approved Mr. Roosevelt's bill. "I have examined the bill in the light of the current emergency and personally concluded that it should be adopted, with modifications," he said, "It makes a vital difference to the United States which side wins. "I refute the statement, that our national security is not involved in British defeat." U-BOAT SUCCESS CLAIMED (Received January 13, 5.35 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 12 The German radio announced that a U-boat sank the British steamer Bassano (4843 tons), carrying a cargo of meat for Britain, 300 miles north-west of Ireland.