Evening star., 1941-03-14

Germ, and Congress noiU is con-
Sidering 81, 10000, 900 appropria-
tiOn measure.
Extension of American aid to ma
tionS other than Great Britain,
Greece and China was indicated
today during a press conference dis
cussion of policy under the lease
lend bill.
Asked if other nations than these
three might benefit under the pro-
gram, the Chief Executive said he
believed the law to be very clear in
specifying that assistance could be
given to any belligerent nation
whose welfare is considered vital
to the United States.
Meanwhile, Secretary of War
Stimson said that some defense
material to be transferred to Great
Britain under the LeaSe-Lend Act
already had started to its deStina-
ton.
For the moment he withheld
details.
The information will come out
In due time" Mr.. Stimson told press
conference inquirers. "As far as l
am concerned no details will be dis
closed prematurely. 1 don't think
it would be fair to Great Britain"
Nations Not Named.
Mr.. Roosevelt did not mention any
nations by name, but referred to
those which are not only in the
process of resisting totalitarian ag-
greSsion, but which might be COM
pelled to decide to do so. Such
countries, he added, might fall into
the category of those covered by
the lease-lend bill.
At this point the President was
asked if any assistance is currently
being given Turkey. He said he
knew of none.
The President took occasion today
to describe as entirely inaccurate
stories that hundreds of naval YES
sells already have been marked for
transfer to the British flag.
No Merchant Ships Available.
At this time, he went on, there
has been absolutely no consideration
for transfer of any type or number
Of naval ships. Asked about
merchant vessels, he replied that
there are none available for trans
fer.
On the question of aid to China,
the President said he is now in
process of receiving a report on
Chinese needs from Lauchlin Currie,
an administrative assistant, who
has recently returned from special
observation mission in China.
Mr.. Roosevelt referred a question:
er to the State Department when
inquiry was made as to why German
and Italian capital assets had not
been frozen in this country since
that action has been taken against
the resources of occupied nations.
The President said Springfield
rifles were not included in the first
list of items approved for shipment
to Britain and Greece, but asked
that reporters not inquire about
other specific articles and not try to
find out by a process of elimination
what war materials were being al
located.
Given Every enthusiastic indorse-
ment" by Secretaries Hull, Stimson
and Knox, the $1,000 100000 lease
lend appropriation bill, meanwhile,
advanced rapidly through the pre-
liminary phase of legislative con-
sideration.
Chairman Woodrum said his House
Appropriations subcommittee hoped
to finish its hearings on the measure
during the day-thus completing in
two days its deliberations on the
largest appropriation in peace-time
history.
The bill already has acquired the
No. position on the House calendar
for next Tuesday, and its passage
by Wednesday night was generally
forecast.
There was a conspicuous lack of
outSpoken opposition either in the
House or in the Senate. Most of the
critical comment heard concerned
whether the full $7,0O0,0O0,000 was
needed Immediately or could be
spent during the coming year.
Senator Taft, Republican, of Ohio,
(See BRITISH AID, Page AID