Evening star., 1941-05-13
BY JOHN C. HENRY.

President Roosevelt, recovering
from a stomach ailment that has
kept him on q reduced working
schedule for the last week arranged
a White House conference today
with Admiral Ernest ]. King, COM
mander in chief Of the Atlantic
Fleet and officer in charge Of the
patrol system on the East Coast.
Although the White House offered
no background on the reason for the
conference, the pointed reminder
that Admiral King is directing the
far-fung neutrality patrol in Allan
tic waters indicated that the ship
ping situation in this area will be
the principal subject Of discussion.
The President has told press con-
ferences on several occasions that
the patrol is ranging as far out as
defense interests make advisable
and it is generally believed lat
radio information broadcast By the
patrol ships has been of material
advantage to merchant shipping
engaged in transporting supplies to
Britain. Exact locations Of the
vessels under Admiral Kings direc-
ton have not been made public.
Confers With Gen. Robins.
The Presidents discussion Of this
patrol effort with the officer in direct
charge comes at time when the
issue of naval participation in a
convoy system is paramount policy
problem. Several cabinet officers
have expressed favor for more sub
stantial American naval aid to AT.
lantic merchant shipping, and the
issue is now under debate at Capitol
Hill.
Before seeing Admiral King, the
President also conferred today with
Brig. Gen. Thomas M. Robins, as
sistant chief of Army engineers, and
later with Budget Director Harold
D. Smith and Attorney General
Jackson.
Although the President was pro-
nounced by White House spokesmen
in great shape" today, he was
transacting his business in the oval
room study of the White House
proper rather than coming to the
executive Office. The usual Tuesday
afternoon press conference was not
scheduled.
Pepper Offers New Plan.
Meanwhile, Senator Pepper. DEM
ocrat, of Florida, urged today that
the United States undertake to help
assure the safe delivery of all sup
plies to Britain, regardless of the
country from which they were ship
ped, the Associated Press reported.
At the same time, Capital circles
wondered just what Secretary of
Navy Knox meant when he said: 1T
Is very possible that convoys
are not the answer after all. Per-
haps we have to develop a new de-
fense to assure the arrival OF our
goods on the other side"
The statement was made by Mr..
Knox IN an extemperaneous speech
to the American Society of Military
Engineers here after he had de-
clared I'VE cannot half fight this
battle, - we are committed to
all the support Ito Britain) neces.
sary to produce victory"
Public Support Seen.
Senator Pepper. who has been de-
manding Affirmative action" by this
country against the Axis, told re-
porters that public opinion has
reached the point where, If convoys
are necessary to deliver the goods,
the people will support them.
"The question of convoys is far
broader than just getting our ma.
terials to Britain, however. If Brit
ain is getting supplies from Canada,
Australia or Africa, for instance, it
Is just as important that they be
delivered as that American supplies
reach their destination.
I'VE have got to keep Britain
alive, and I hope our people will see
the whole picture instead of Just q
segment of it."
A Senate test some time this week
on the convoy issue was virtually
assured yesterday when the Senate
Commerce Committee gave 11-to-4
approval to the House approved ad-
ministration bill for requisitioning
of foreign shipping now idle in
domestic ports. A proposed ban on
transfers to Britain was beaten, 10
to g.