Evening star., 1941-11-02
Roosevelt and King
Discuss Additional
Joint Defense Plans
Hyde Park Conferees
Ignore Berlin Charges
Of U. S. Aggression
BY JOHN {. HENRY.
Star staff Correspondent

HYDE PARK. N Y, Nov. l.
1mplementation of Canadian-Amer
ican plans for fighting defense of
this continent and of the North
Atlantic supply lanes was discussed
here today by President Roosevelt
and Prime Minister w. L. Mackenzie
King.
Although Joint economic problems
were to be covered in the two-day
meeting between the two govern
ment heads, military and naval
matters were believed to have taken
precedence This emphasis came
simultaneously, and almost as an
answer, to Berlin charges today that
involvement of American destroyers
in combat incidents in recent weeks
had demonstrated that the United
States is taking the initiative in
shooting war" with the AXIS.
Otherwise, no reply was being
made here Immediately to the Ber-
lin accusations.
Expects Understanding"
Mr. King. who arrived here by
train this morning, is scheduled to
make an official government state
ment at the opening of the
Canadian Parliament Monday. He
expects. he told reporters here. to
take back to the Canadian leglSla-
tors a report of complete under
standing" with Mr.. Roosevelt on
wartime and defense problems
affecting the two countries.
Presumably. the operation of
American naval vessels in Canadian
waters and out of Canadian ports
was a principal subject of today's
discussion. Reports have persisted
that important units OF the United
States Atlantic fleet are currently
using Halifax as an operating base,
serving the double purpose Of
strengthening the defense of this
ocean terminal and of being at the
most strategic point for undertaking
convoy and patrol assignments.
Questioned about this, Mr.. King
avoided a direct denial by saying,
You'll have 10 ask the American
Navy about that
In the wide range OF economic
matters which faced the conterees
were consideration of price control
steps which are calculated to check
inhationary trends in either country
and Of assuring the Dominion gov
eminent of adequate procurement
means in the United States, either
through an advantageous dollar eX-
change agreement, monetary loans
or lend-leaSe aid.
Buying Exceeds Sales.
An economic formula agreed upon
by Mr.. Roosevelt and Mr. King last
April has benefited Canada in this
procurement problem but the wide
excess of Canadian purchases over
their sales TO the United States in
dicateS that further steps are nee
essary.
Harry L. Hopkins. special assistant
TO the President IN charge of the
iend-lease program, also is a Visitor
at the Roosevelt home this week end
and is available f, for consultation
with the Chief Executive and the
Prime Minister on this matter.
Regarding imitation controls. Can
ada is attempting at present to stab
ilize its economy by application Of
q blanket price ceiling combined
with a regulation of wages.
Our plan is being we'll received
In Canada, Mr.. King said when re-
porters spoke of the interest here
in the Dominion experiment. I'VE
think we have taken the right step.
Many of our people, especially the
housewives, remember the price in
fation that accompanied the last
war and are anxious to escape II.
Congress Expected to Act.
Although the President has been
by Leon Henderson. head of
the Office of Price Administration,
Canadian is not presently advisable
in this country. it is expected that
administration leadership will press
for congressional consideration OF
pending control legislation as soon
as the neutrality law revision is
completed and that there will be
discussion on Capitol Hill of the
Dominion system.
In addition to his consultations
with Mr.. King. the President con-
ferred briefly today by telephone
with State and Navy Department
officials.
Latest available information on
the sinking of the U. S. S. Reuben
James was transmitted by the Navy
and an accounting of the Berlin
charges was received from State De-
partment sources.
Tomorrow Mr.. Roosevelt is plan
ming to take time off from his con-
versations with the Dominion leader
to take Princess Juliana of the Netff-
erlands to services in the Reformed
Dutch Church in Hyde Park village.
Greeted at Station.
Princess Juliana, accompanied by
her daughters. BreatrlX and Irene,
arrived this morning to be guest
at the Roosevelt home until Tues
day night. The Dutch party travelled
in a private car attached to the
same train as that bringing the King
car.
Mrs. Roosevelt greeted both the
Prime Minister and the Princess at
Poughkeepsie station this morning.
entering Juliana's S car to help usher
the two little fur-clad girls out to
the platform. Both were carrying
dolls in their arms as they descended
from the train and were carried up
the long station stairway In the
arms of secret service men.
The President will remain here to
make a speech to Duchess County
educators on Monday afternoon and
to vote in town and county elections
on Tuesday.