The Wilmington morning star., 1940-06-16
F. D. R. ANSWERS
PLEA FOR HELP
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address as "a new and last appeal. -
In his address. Reynaud referred
to the aid already received from
America, declared that the French
knew what nigh place ideals -,old''
in the life of the American people,
and asked:
will they hesitate still to declare
themselves against Nazi Germany?'
This question was interpreted by
many as plea for the United States
TO declare war on Germany.
In making public Mr.. Roosevelt's 9
reply, Stephen Early, White House
press secretary, said that the pre-.
mler's communication was not be.
ing given to reporters because it
was the same as his radio address
which had been published.
Mr.. Roosevelt's message was made
public in the late afternoon. Ear.
lier, the chief executive had con.
ferred for 70 minutes with the Brit
ish and French ambassadors, Lord
Lothian and Count de st. Quentin.
White House attaches said, how.
ever, that the message had been
dispatched prior to this conference.
Not Disclosed
Details of the Presidents talk with
the two ENJOYS were not disclosed,
but Lord Lothian said the question
Of further aid to the Allies was
discussed. Certain points were "clear-
ed up" he said, but no decisions
reached.
Both Lord Lothian and Count de
st. Quentin emphasized that no for
NAL communications were presented
to the President. They said, too, that
the White House had not been in
communication with the French gov
ernment during their conference.
At the Capitol and in government
departments, this country's own de-
fense program was pressed ahead.
The navy announced award Of a
$5,4S9,30S order for airplane engines
to the Ranger Aircraft engines di-
vision of the Fairchild Engine and
Airplane corporation.
The Federal Power commission
announced that on instructions from
President Roosevelt, it would survey
power needs and, in cooperation with
other agencies, work out plans to
protect the power supply against
hostile acts.
The senate approved and sent to
the White House bill intended to
expedite warship building. It pro-
vides for consolidation of the navy's
bureau of engineering and its bu-
reau of construction, in an effort
to cut red tape.
The senate finance committee ap-
proved a $1,007, 100000 tax defense
bill.
The senate itself worked late to
complete action on measure giving
the Reconstruction Finance corpo-
ration broad powers to finance pro-
duction of war materials. The house
approved the bill yesterday.
The senate passed the measure
late in the day, but in an amended
form, thus necessitating it's return
to the house for action on the sem
ate changes.
Jesse Jones, federal loan admins
traitor, told reporters that as soon
as the legislation became law ne
would make funds available for GER
tain aircraft production needs.
It was indicated that another early
action would be purchases of reserve
stocks of strategic war Materials
such as rubber, tin and manganese.
While the mechanics of the pro-
oram have not been worked out, 1t
was said that one corporation mlgh1
he established to carry out the pur-
chasing program, or there might be
several, one for each industry.
Sounded Out
Congress- members displayed in
+erest in reports that shipping men
had sounded out officials here on
the question of amending the neu-
tra1itv act to permit American ships
to carry supplies to Allied ports.
It was apparent that if the pro.
nosa1 reached congress there would
be a bitter controversy over it. Sen
.+or Austin of Vermont, the assist
ant republican leader, said he favor
ed striking the entire cash and
oarrv,, section from the law. But
senator Nye R-ND) said he and
others would oppose any change in
The neutrality act.