UNITED STATES AID TO DEMOCRACIES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 10, 13 January 1941, Page 5

UNITED STATES AID TO DEMOCRACIES

PRESIDENT’S WIDE POWERS

ALL CONTINGENCIES COVERED IN BILL BEFORE CONGRESS

WARNING ISSUED AGAINST DELAY

(By 1 airgraph—Prau Association—Copyright) Received Jan. 11. 7.30 p.m. LONDON'. Jan. 10. The powers extended to the President under the Bill introduced in Congress, which is entitled “an Act to promote the det fenee of the United States,” are virtually unlimited, except in the case ol easli appropriations, which Congress will be called on from time to time to provide in order to carry out the programme.

The Bill asking Congress to give the President sweeping powers to transfer American-made military equipment to Britain and the other warring democracies authorises the President to determine whether the United States will accept repayment of the materials lent or leased in kind or property or "any other direct or indirect benefit" which he deems satisfactory. The Bill defined "defence articles" in the broadest possible terms, covering machinery and tools necessary for its manufacture, as well as component parts and materials. It defines "defence information" as any plan, specification, design, prototype, or information pertaining to anv defence article. The Bill contains a clause declaring that rts provisions shall apply "notwithstanding the provisions of any other law.” The Bill provides that "notwithstanding any other law. the President may from time to time, when he deems it in the interests of national defence, authorise the Secretary of f War, the Secretary of the Navy, or the heads of any other department or agency to manufacture any defence article for the Government of any country whose defence the President deems to be vital for the defence of the United States; to sell, transfer, exchange, lease, lend, or otherwise dispose to any such Government any such defence article; to inspect, repair, outfit, or recondition defence articles; to communicate defence information to any such Government; or to release any defence article for export.” Such action may be carried out “on terms which the President deems to be satisfactory or beneficial to the United States.”

Discretionary Repayment Mr. Roosevelt, at a conference with pressmen, intimated that individual contracts would be negotiated, and that each might provide some specific means of repayment. The terms of the Bill appear to make this authority discretionary. Some official observers said that the President could even make gifts of material if he so desired. The President will ask for funds to finance the Bill, variously estimated at between 2,000,000,U 000 and 10,000,000,000 dollars, / after it is enacted. The Bill would prohibit foreign Governments from transferring their title to, or possession of materials obtained to another Government without the President’s consent. The Roosevelt recognised the sweeping authority that would be vested in him. He told the pressmen that he did not want it for himself, but said that someone must have such power to make democracy function in an emergency such as to-day. He sidestepped an inquiry whether additional destroyers were involved, saying that they had not been requested by Britain. A warning that every week the proposal is debated meant delay in delivering vital materials to Britain, was made by Mr. Roosevelt.

DISPOSAL OF WAR MATERIAL QUESTIONS BY SENATORS

Received Jan. 12, 9.30 p.m. WASHINGTON, Jan. 10. Senator Barkley and Mr. McCorBu mack, respective leaders of the Sen- ’ ate and House Democratic parties, said that under the "Aid-to-Britain” Bill certificates for the disposal of war material from the Chief of Staff or the Navy Chief were not needed. Hitherto such disposal was limited by the law requiring the defence chiefs to certify that any sold must be "surplus." They 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. A clause authorising the President to supply a friendly Power with military information would enable the disclosure of details of the Navy and the secret bombsight. The Bill does not authorise the use of American warships to deliver war materials to war areas.

Supporters of the Administration praised the Bill as justified by the world emergency. Imposition of Limitations Sentiment appears to be developing to impose limitations on the Aid-to-Britain Bill. The sentiment is crystalising slowly but indications point to a possibility that those who favour . modification and the Bill’s outright ■ opponents together may *ave sufficient votes to put in some restrictions.

The most discussed limitations are, firstly, a biennium limit to the President’s authority' to provide materials and repair ships for the democracies; secondly, continuance of the law that the Army and Navy chiefs must certify that at present the equipment is not essential to the United States defence before transfer; thirdly, a ban on outright gifts of war materials under the “indirect benefit clause." Asked whether the Bill would permit Britain to base part of her fleet in United States harbours or air bases, Senator Barkley said: “I cannot give a categorical answer. The Bill is like Mother Hubbard—it covers everything and touches nothing.”

Senator Elberd 'ihomas said that Congress should repeal the ban on United States shipping entering the combat zone. NO DOUBT ABOUT PASSING BILL GENERALLY' SUPPORTED Received Jan 12. 7.30 p.m. WASHINGTON, Jan. 11. The Bill to provide aid for Britain was referred to the Foreign Affairs Committees of the House and the Senate, having been given the historic number 1776—the date of the Declaration of Independence. The Senate and House Democratic leaders. Senator Barkley and Mr. McCormack, respectively, jointly made a statement that the repair provision in the Bill will permit the use of any military, naval, or air base in the United States for repairing the weapons of countries whose defence is vital to the United States. The isolationists are already criticising the Bill. Thus Senator Bennet Clask said: “It is simply a Bill to authorise the President to declare war." Senator La Follette commented: ”It is a Bill for Congress to abdicate.” Senator Nye said: "It amounts to a request to grant the President power equal to a declaration of war." Sc- - tor Hamilton Fish considered "it looks as though we are bringing Nazism, Fascism, and dictatorship to America, and setting up our own F uehrer.” Other Senators and Congressmen expressed unqualified approval, also belief that the measure will meet with the country’s support. Mr. Thomas Dewey claims the Bill gives the President the absolute right to seize alien ships in the United States and transfer them to Britain, to use the United States navy to convoy supplies, give parts of the Fleet to Britain, give planes, cancel the Neutrality and Johnson Acts, and engage the country in war. Referred to Military Committee. The House Military Affairs Committee decided to demand that the Aid for Britain Bill be withdrawn from the Foreign Affairs Committee and referred to the Military Committee. Senator Raybury refused to comment on the inter-committee squabble but said there was “not one particle of doubt” that the Bill would be passed. Mr. Cordell Hull, Secretary of State, replied to the German allegation that the Bill would violate international law: “If the Berlin Press is upholding international law then we will all soon be doing so.”

“REASONABLE SECURITY” AMENDMENT SUGGESTED Received Jan. 12. 7.15 p.m. WASHINGTON. Jan. 11. Senator George foreshadowed that the Senate would amend the Aid to Britain Bill to require “reasonable security” from Britain for arms and material. He said he did not necessarily mean money. “If we could have some interest in British tin and rubber production it would be good business for us,” he said. Senator George favoured without qualification the Bills objectives. New England Republican leaders expressed approval of the Bill’s objectives, but Senator Austin suggested another change—a time limitation on the great powers given the President.

SPEED UP REARMAMENT INTRODUCTION OF FRESH LEGISLATION Received Jan. 12, 6.30 p.m. WASHINGTON, Jan. 11. Mr. Vinson, chairman of the House Naval Committee investigating defence production "lags,” said he was introducing legislation requiring industry to curtail commercial production where and when necessary and speed up armament. Mr. Vinson mentioned the possibil-

ity of converting the automotive industry almost entirely to the manufacture of airplane engines or parts.

AMERICAN SHIPYARDS CONSTRUCTION OF FREIGHTERS NEW YORK, Jan. .1. A Norwegian and American combine has taken over the old. Groton shipyards in Connecticut, which have been closed since the World War, to build a 20,000,000-dollar fleet of freighters for the Allies' merchant marine. It is expected that construction on 9000-1 on ships will start in a few weeks under the direction of American engineers.

AMERICA DETERMINED LUXURIES MUST GO LONDON, Jan. 10. “We are using all our machinery for defence,” declared Mr. H. L. Hopkins (President Roosevelt’s personal representative in Britain). “If that cuts luxuries, then we will cut luxuries, or anything else getting in the way.” “The Government has very big powers, and will not hesitate to take other powers.”