The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-02-17
Roosevelt Sure That
 Measure Will Pass
Continued from Page 1.)


 ternational situation, especially in the Far East where, 1t was an- nounced by the British admiralty, Great Britain's navy has mined the Straits of Singapore. Early, how ever, would not comment when asked whether Britain's action might cause revision of neutrality proclamations and a designation of the Singapore Straits as a combat area from which American commer- cial vessels would be excluded.
 The proposal to ship food to Brit ain, as well as arms and munitions, was denounced by Sen. Burton K. Wheeler, D., Mon.., opposition lead- CT, as an effort by the bills sup porters to win the favor of the na- tion's farmers.
 The administration planned to open it's side of the senate debate with two Democrats and Republi- can - Chairman Walter F. George, D., Ga, of the Foreign Relations Committee; Democratic Leader AL ben w. Barkley of Kentucky, CO., author of the bill; and Senator Warren R. Austin, R., Vt., assistant senate Republican leader. George was ordered to bed with 8 sore throat last night and may not be able to make the opening speech.
 Opposition Tuesday
 The opposition, to which the ad- ministration comedies only 25 to 30 votes, will open its case tomorrow with Senator Bonnet c. Clark, D., Mo, Senator Arthur H. Vandenberg R.. Mich, will follow him.
 The telegram to the president asking for food for Britain proposed that everything possible be done to make the United States not only the arsenal, as proposed by MT. Roose- welt, but the leader of democracies.
 Men, no matter how brave, in order to fight victoriously on land and sea and in the air, must know that starvation cannot threaten the homes they are defending" the tele- gram said. "It is within our power to see that such threat does not materialize.
 we cannot directly help the conquered peoples whose food is be- ing stolen from them to feed the German armies of occupation. They can be helped only by being freed from the yoke of the oppressor. But we can see to it that their only hope of liberalization is not des- troyed-aS it would be if the British Isles should be reduced to starva- tion.
 Among Signers Among the signers were James F Warburg, banker; Ernest w. Gibson Jr., chairman of the Committee tc Defend American by Aiding the Allies; movie stars Joan Bennett Melvyn Douglas and Helen Gaha- gan; Mark Etheridge, general man. ager of the Louisville (Ky0 Cour- ier-Journal; Dr. Join M. Fletcher of Tulane University, New Orleans Irving Berlin, song writer; Robert E. Sherwood, playwright and Thomas s. Gates, president of the University of Pennsylvania.
 Wheeler said he didn't believe this petition would fool the Amer ican farmers" because, he charged 1t was another move to take us closer to war"
 Tt should seem strange to the American people" he said, that whenever petitions urging steps to take us closer to war are prepared they are made public py the White House. But the White House does not make public the petitions 1t re- ceives from peace-loving American citizens who plead with the pres ident to keep us out of war"
 There was no hint from Hopkins or from the White House of the specific reason for his Sojourn in Britain as the presidents personal emissary, but 1t was certain that British-aid plans for the immediate future would be based on Hopkins report.
 In Britain One Month
 Hopkins has been in Britain a month and during that time was the almost constant companion of Prime Minister Winston Churchill. He went directly to the White House, where he has been living for more than a year, upon arriving last night. He had declined in New York and here to disclose the na- ture of his mission and told report CTS that so far as he was concerned his report to the President might never be published.
 Asked If he had prepared detailed reports for MT. Roosevelt, he said:
 T was sent over on a specific mis- sion and completed it."
 Was 1t only a mission Of observa. tion?"
 Tt was more than that"
 Hopkins expressed confidence that Britain, if given enough aid by the United States. could defeat Ger. many,
 "They don't want our men and ! don't think they'll need our nen," !" he said. But they need materials Of war desperately, and now.
 They are about as tough a crowd as there iB and they've got the mill. tary btuh. With what we can send them. they can wlI It won't Dc c stalesfnate war.
 "f saw their navy, their afr force and their army. Tine British people ere determined to win and can do it