Evening star., 1941-04-11
Proclamation Tert, Page A.
BY JOHN c. HENRY.

ID. Jot1AN - ILANn1
President Roosevelt today
opened the Red Sea and the
Gulf of Alden to American ship
ping, removing combat zone re-
strictions which previously had
been in effect in that area.
The action will permit Ameri-
can merchant vessels to take war
materiel to a neutral Egyptian
port, probably either Port Said or
Ismailia.
The Chief Executive explained at
his press conference that continuing
combat-zone restrictions would ap-
ply to the Mediterranean Sea, but
that today's action leaves the Suez
Canal in the accessible zone. Un-
der the neutrality law, American
ships cannot transport supplies to a
beligerent port, but since Egypt is
neutral, shipments would be per-
mitted to the most accessible of
that nations debarkation ports.
Other Steps Taken.
Mr.. Roosevelt also announced to
his conference today that he has
taken the following steps relating to
the war and this Nations programs
of defense and aid:
/. Created a new Price Admins
tration and Civil Supply Agency
under the Office of Emergency Man
agement. Leon Henderson will head
this new agency.
2. Issued proclamation formally
declaring a state of war between
Germany and Italy on one side and
Yugoslavia on the other.
8. Signed Senate resolution af-
irnning and approving the Havana
Declaration policy of non-recogni-
ton of transfers of sovereignty of
any American territory from one
Manner: can power to another.
Cleared of Active Fighting.
With regard to opening of the
Gulf of Alden and the Red Sea to
American shipping, the President
explained to his conference that the
previous barrier had consisted of a
relatively narrow prescribed strip of
water between easternmost Africa
and Arabia. Stretching across the
mouth OF the Gulf of Alden, this
barrier prevented American ship
ping from entering into the gulf or
the Red Sea waters.
Developments of the last few
weeks, principally the British vic
tories over the Italians in East
Africa, have now cleared these
waters of active fighting and have
left no reason why American ship
ping should not enter them in
safety.
Questioned about American YES
sells going into the Suez Canal, the
President pointed out that this pas
sage has never been in a combat
zone since the restrictions on the
Mediterranean began at the north
ern entrance of the canal. He con-
tinued, however, to say that dis
charge of cargo may be more con-
venient and practicable at the Red
Sea end of the waterway with its
further shipment perhaps being by
rail through Egypt.
In this connection, the point was
raised as to whether American ves-
sells would be permitted by law to
carry goods for ns-shipment to a
belligerent. The President replied
It was an issue of great legal COM
plexity and one on which the Gov
eminent is not at present borrowing
any headaches.
Mr.. Roosevelt admitted to a press
conference last week that opening
of the Gulf of Alden and the Red
Sea to American shipping was being
considered, implying further that it
was foregone conclusion that such
action would be taken. Speculation
has been general since then that
stores of equipment would be rushed
from American ports through those
waterways, headed eventually for
British, Greek or Yugoslav forces in
the Balkans.
Today's proclamation gives clear
snce not only for surface vessels,
bait for aircraft in the affected area.
In his proclamation pertaining to
the new state of war in the Balkans,
Mr.. Roosevelt charged Germany and
Italy with having wantonly at
tackled Yugoslavia."
In the light of this development,
he directed that all officers of the
United States Government exercise
utmost diligence in protecting the
lives of the citizens of this Govern
ment.
Question on Halifax Opening.
To an inquiry about the possibility
that the combat zone would be re-
vised further so that Halifax, Nova
Scotia, would be open to American
vessels, Mr.. Roosevelt said he had
read of the idea in newspaper and
that was the first he had heard
of it.
In New York the Associated Press
reported that shipping men said the
SO Italian, German and Danish
ships seized by the United States
undoubtedly" would be used to rush
supplies to Egypt via the Red Sea
and SueZ Canal.
Companies operating ships in the
Indian Ocean said they doubted If
any American vessels would be
available for Red Sea-Suez service
as they were all too busy in other
trades.
1--WE are so busy already with the
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