ESSENTIAL FOR SAFETY

Southland Times, Issue 24353, 6 February 1941, Page 7

ESSENTIAL FOR SAFETY

Support For Lend And Lease Bill MESSAGE FROM STATE GOVERNORS (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received February 5, 10 p.m.) WASHINGTON, February 4. The Governors of the States of South Carolina, North Carolina, Florida, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Virginia and Alabama have telegraphed to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee stating that the passage of the Lend and Lease Bill “is essential for the safety of the nation.” General Wood, chairman of the America First Committee, giving evidence before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, opposed the Bill, saying that if it were passed there was a possibility of the United States being involved in the war within 90 days. It is learned from a Government source that 90 per cent, of United States’ aircraft production was sent to Britain in December and January. American production may exceed 1000 monthly by March. After the passage of the Aid for Britain Bill formulas are expected whereby the United States will send planes, already attached to the Army and Navy, including flying fortresses, to Britain in sufficient numbers to back up the British defence. Unproduced planes, ordered for Britain, would then be assigned to the United States. Mr Cordell Hull, Secretary of State, replying to the America First Committee, defended Lord Halifax, stating that “his visits to Mr Sol Bloom, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives, and to Senator Walter F. George, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee were formal courtesy calls on the State Department, which does not consider such calls constitute a departure from established precedent.”