The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1941-01-04
ConCede Issue Will Take
Lengthy Debate in
Congress
LAF0LlETTE, WHEELER,
NYE WILL OPPOSE PLAN
Foreign Policy Will be
Stressed in Message
by President

10y ASSOCIATED ProSt)
Washington, Jan. 4-AP- Ul.i.
mate approval OF President Roose-
velts lease-lend plan for aiding
the British was predicted by Demo-
cratic leaders OF Congress today.
but they conceded that II would
have to stand the test OF lengthy
debate.
Providing for the lease and loan
OF war equipment TO Britain. with
repayment IN kind or in raw ma
terials such as rubber upon con-
clusion OF hostilities. the proposal
already has become the foremost
issue OF the day-old nth Congress
and critics OF Administration for.
eign policy asserted that II would
be stoutly opposed.
Among these, Senator Wheeler
(D-Mont.) announced he would de-
vote almost his entire time" 70
fighting the plan. Senators LaFol.
lette (Prog. Wis., and Nye (R-N.DD
expressed opposition to giving the
President wide authority TO ef-
feet this type OF assistance to Bril-
tain and Administration chieftains,
on the other hand. expressed conf
dsnce In eventual acceptance OF
the proposal by Congress.
A closer drawing OF the lines of
the controversy appeared, however.
TO await Mr.. Roosevelt's presenta-
ton OF his annual message on Mon
day and the introduction OF legisla-
ton embodying the plan.
The Chief Executive planned TO
work on the message over the
week end. Indications we're that
II would deal chiefly with the para
mount problems OF foreign policy,
including pressing questions OF aid
TO Britain, in the same vein as his
defense broadcast OF last Sunday
night.
Generality Seen
Mr.. Roosevelt already has said
that legislation to carry out ths
lease-lend plan would have to be
fairly genera. IN It's provisions
since all the things TO be done
could not be anticipated in writ
ing the law. To this Senator Ma
jorlty Leader Barkley added that
the President would ask for broad
and unlimited powers TO make the
plan effective.
Following initial organization SEES
sions Friday both House and Sem
ate were in recess today, but meet.
inoa 80 Ta,rncratgo and Danuhtfoau
senators were called for the pur-
pose OF perfecting the Senate's par.
ty machinery.
Other considerations than those
OF foreign policy were beginning to
take shape.
IL was authoritatively forecast
that within 10 days the army would
ask Congress for approximately
$4,000, 100000 more TO expand and
speed up the armament program.
Among the funds to be asked. it
was indicated, will be some for
equipping and garrisoning Atlantic
bases being developed on sites
acquired from the British.
Upward Revision
Aht ttfVVVfVOVfVyD nbuic lrViN-
scented an upward revision OF 81
900. 100000 in the army's estimates
OF its needs for additional money
as unofiicialiy reported few days
ago The new funds. II and when
granted, will go for assembling
$500 bombers annually from parts
manufactured chiefly in automo-
bile factories and for various other
purposes, including new munitions
plants and so-called critical"
equipment to round out supplies for
a force OF 100000 men.
The question OF how the heavy
defense expenditures are to be met
was being much discussed. Bark
ley said that tax increases, expect.
ed TO be sought by the Administra.
ton this session, should make IL
possible for the government not
only to balance its regular" bud
get--exclusive OF defense Items