RUSSIAN ASSETS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 24000, 25 June 1941, Page 8

RUSSIAN ASSETS

HELEASE PROBABLE

REACTION IN AMERICA MORE LIBERAL POLICY LONDON. June 24 Diplomatic quarters in "\V ashington envisage the establishment of close economic co-operation between Britain, America and Russia, with the United States adopting a more liberal policy over the export of war materials to Russia. It is believed the Administration will begin releasing almost immediately "frozen" Russian credits and assets in the United States. The Russian Ambassador to Washington lias appealed to the American Government to cancel the "freezing order. Americans regard the bringing ot Russia into the war with satisfaction, many simply because thoy hope Russia and Britain may now finish otl Germany without direct intervention oi the United States. Mr. Churchill's statement that ho has been a lifelong opponent of Communism is considered to be an expression of good faith, giving point to his words that assistance to Russia will fall into the category of assistance to any nation, democracy or not, that fights Hitler. Dislike o:t Comintern This is expected to sway public opinion in the United States, where dislike and fear of the Comintern will die hard-The New York Daily News says: "It will take a lot oi selling to sell the majority of Americans the proposition that we should line up with the Soviet to lick Hitler." Following Mr. Churchill's broadcast regarding possible aid to Russia, a sympathetic view is taken in authoritative circles in Washington. The Under-Secretary of State, Mr. Sumner Welles, on behalf of President Roosevelt, said: "While all forms of dictatorship are inimical to the American way of life the immediate issue is to halt Hitlerism." While no decision of America on the question of extending lend-or-lease aid to Russia is yet announced, Mr. Welles' statement leaves the impression that the Russian situation is to receive sympathetic consideration. Proot of Real Purposes

Jn a statement to the press Mr. Welles said: "If anv further proof could conceivably be required of the real purposes and projects of the present leaders of Germany for world domination, it is now furnished by Hitler's treacherous attack on Russia.

"We see once more, beyond any question of doubt, with what intent Germany negotiates non-aggression pacts. To the people.s of the United States the principles and doctrines of Communistic dictatorship are as intolerable and alien to their own beliefs as are the principles and doctrines of Nazi dictatorship. Neither kind of imposed overlordship can have, or will have, any support or any sway in the mode of life or in the system of government of the American people. Immediate Issue "But the immediate issue that presents itself to the people of the United States is whether a plan for universal conquest, for the cruel and brutal enslavement of all peoples, and for the ultimate destruction of the remaining free democracies, which Hitler is now desperately trying to carry out, is to be successfully halted and defeated. "In the opinion of this Government any defence against Hitlerism, any rallying of forces op|x>sing Hitlerism. from whatever source these forces nunspring. will hasten the eventual downfall of the present German leaders, and will therefore redound to the benefit of our own defence and security. Hitler's armies are to-day the chief dangers of the Americas." REQUEST TO MINERS INCREASED OUTPUT WANTED CRecd. 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, June 23' The Minister of Labour and National Service, Mr. Ernest Bevin, broadcast an appeal to the 690.000 men now employed in the mining industry to increase their output. Mr. Bevin also stated that 50.U00 more men were wanted to go back to the mines. He said that the Government had decided not to bring back men from the forces for this puqiose. BRITAIN'S ACE PILOT TOTAL OF 32 VICTORIES (Reed. 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, June 23 The Daily Telegraph says that Squadron-Leader R. R. Tuck is now recognised as Britain's ace pilot, having brought down 32 German aeroplanes.

Leader of the famous Burma Squad-1 ron, 24-year-old Squadron-Leader l'uck j is known to the pilots of his squadron j as "C'hianti" because they salvaged a ! bottle of C'hianti wine from one of 13 | Italian machines they shot down in j 15 minutes. Squadron-Leader Tuck j collected three Italians on that occasion, and over Dunkirk led eight j machines at 50 Germans, getting 10 of them. He keeps his score by painting tiny swastikas on the fuselage of his machine. CONVOY ATTACKED i SHIP BADLY DAMAGED LONDON. June 23 Monday's Royal Air Force Middle East communique stated: "Early yesterday morning bomber aircraft of the Royal Air Force attacked a convoy of enemy merchant vessels escorted by destroyers off the Tripolitania coast. One ship of 6000 tons was badly damaged. Bombs were seen falling close to other ships, probably damaging them. "Our bombers attacked enemy shipping in the harbour of Beirut yesterday. One destroyer received n direct hit and is believed to have sunk. A merchantman alongside the northern mole was set on fire. During the previous night the harbour was also raided by aircraft of tlip Fleet Air Arm. Bombs were seen to fall across the wharves. "One machine, a C'2oo. was shot down fiver Malta yesterday by British fighters, in addition to the si\ already claimed. One of our aircraft is missing from all the above operations, but tho crew is known to be safe." ITALIAN NATIONALS UNITED STATES ORDER WASHINGTON, Juno 24 Tho Government took action yesterday to prevent the departure of Italian nationals from the I nited States. An older also prohibits Italians from exporting or withdrawing currency, and requires a report respecting property in the Edited States in which the Italians have any interest whatsoever. MORE MEN TO REGISTER LONDON, June 2-1 On July 5 all men born in the years 1893 or 1899 will be required to register for employment in war service.