SUPPORT OF U.S. LABOUR

Southland Times, Issue 24152, 14 June 1940, Page 5

SUPPORT OF U.S. LABOUR

DEMAND FOR HELP TO ALLIES

MORE PURCHASES OF EQUIPMENT

(United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received June 13, 8.30 p.m.) NEW YORK, June 13. Mr William Green, president of the American Federation of Labour, said: “We demand that the United States Government give the Allies all the help they need, even though the materials are shipped without compensation. If Hitler wins Americ: will join Canada against Germany.” He added that Labour would avoid strikes. A further 80 Northrop bombers have been released for sale to the Allies. The total of army and navy aeroplanes destined for the Allies is now 263. The army discloses that between June 5 and June 10 £250,000 worth of technical equipment was turned over. QUICKER PRODUCTION It is learned that the Allies sought to buy the equipment outright, but the Army preferred to sell through private manufacturers in order to expedite production for both American and foreign orders. It is authoritatively learned that the Allies already have

bought 800 75’s, 600,000 Lee-Enfields and quantities of machine-guns and trench mortar munitions. A Defence Commission spokesman said that Mr Henry Ford had discussed the mass production of engines rather than aircraft. Mr Roosevelt’s secretary, Mr Stephen Early, announces the turning over to private enterprise of the army’s reserve manufacturing equipment for the immediate production of sizeable quantities of smokeless powder, ammonia, small arms and ammunition. The Secretary for War (Mr H. Woodring) announced that he was soon sending a force of field artillery and infantry to The Anchorage to protect the army’s new Alaskan air bases. The President (Mr Franklin D. Roosevelt) is planning to place all Government navy yards and arsenals on a 24-hour day three-shift basis to accelerate rearmament. The navy announced that contracts totalling 327,000,000 dollars have been awarded for 22 new ships, including two battleships, eight destroyers, two cruisers and six submarines. Mr Emanuel Celler, Tn the House of Representatives, announced that he was introducing a Bill to repeal legal prohibitions against Americans enlisting in the Allied forces. He urged the repeal of the Johnston Act, barfing loans to debtor nations and predicted that “public opinion would soon be strong enough to demand the repeal of the Neutrality Act in its entirety.”

SPANISH ATTITUDE OF NON-BELLIGERENCY

(Received June 13, 8 p.m.)

MADRID, June 13. The Cabinet has decided that Spain’s attitude would be one of non-bel-ligerency. BRITISH DISPUTE WITH MEXICO (Received June 13, 6.30 p.m.) MEXICO CITY, June 13. The newspaper Ultimas Noticias renews speculation that Mexico and Britain are discussing the resumption of diplomatic relations and an oil settlement. It says that the British Ambassador to Washington (the Marquess of Lothian) and Senor Najera are discussing the question. It attributes the weakness of the dollar to the imminence of an agreement. However, British sources deny the report. BRITISH FREIGHTER DAMAGED (Received June 13, 6.30 p.m.) BUENOS AIRES, June 13. An explosion, followed by a fire damaged the freighter Gascony, which was anchored in a dock. A member of the crew said that an incendiary bomb caused the explosion and fire. At least two members of the crew were hurt.