NEED FOR SPEED

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21358, 28 February 1941, Page 5

NEED FOR SPEED

HELP FROM AMERICA MUST BE VICTORY CHANCE FOR WORLD (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Feb. 28, 11.0 a.m.) WASHINGTON, Feb. 27 Mr W. Bullitt, formerly Ambassador to France, m a speech to the I Overseas Press Club, said: I “Britain has done far better than anyone had reason to believe it | was able to do, while the United [ States has done worse. We should be producing every implement of war the British, Chinese and Greeks need with the same speed as if we were at war. “We are doing nothing of the kind. We are just making efforts that are not overtroublesome. If we can’t get production at war speed without it, then I favour an immediate declaration of national emergency. “There cannot be peace without victory. The world will either be directed from Berlin or from London and Washington. If the British'win there will be a chance that the world for the first time may be organised for peace. “M. Stalin is quaking in his Kremlin and is too weak, morally and physically, to win even a jackal’s victory over corpses.” , WAR SUPPLIES TRANSFER TO BRITAIN MR ROOSEVELT MOVES LEADERS’ ASSURANCES (United press Assn.— Elec. Tel. Copyright) NEW YORK, Feb. 20 Acting on . ssurances given by leaders in th,» Senate and the House of Representatives that the “Lease or Lend” Bill will be passed without further substantial amendment, says the Washington correspondent of the New York Times, President Roosevelt today took steps to transfer to Britain all war supplies, that may be transferred from the present stores of the army and navy without crippling the American armed forces. This action followed a series of conferences at the White House between the President, members of the Cabinet and other important advisers. It is believed that the first definite move will be to assemble existing war supplies and convey them in the direction of embarkation for England. Government sources revealed that the final inventories of Britain’s needs and existing American supplies were checked by those taking part in the White House conferences. The list of British needs covers among other things long-range guns, machine-guns and ammunition. Ready For Shipping The opinion was expressed that 500,000,000 dollars’ worth of material would be ready for shipping as soon as Congress passes the bill. The Appropriations Committee of the House of Representatives approved the 1,500,000 dollars supplementary defence bill and sent it to the House. Democrat members conceded that many weapons provided for m the bill might be transferred to Britain if the “Lease or Lend” Bill is passed. The defence bill seeks to provide funds to complete 55 destroyers, 189 big navy aeroplanes ; 40 minesweepers and numerous other craft. Mr John Voorhis (Democrat) asked whether the weapons would be subject to transfer to Britain. Mr Clifton Woodrum replied that he believed that as much as 50 per cent might be transferred.