NEWS OF THE WEEK
IF the passing of the Lease-and-Lend Bill in the United States created a wave of renewed confidence among all countries winch look for a British victory, there was reason to be even more reassured by the reception in Congress of the Bill appropriating 11,750,000,000 to give effect to the promised aid to Britain. The debates on the Lease-and-Lend Bill were hotly contested, .and it was passed by little more than a normal party majority. The opposition at that stage was due to a genuine fear that the measure would bring America into the war. But now that it is passed most of those who were against it are ready to accept the verdict ; and many even go further and say that since the Bill has been passed the only chance of keeping out of the war " lies in swiftly and boldly proceeding in giving help to our quasi-allies." The words are those of Senator Vandenberg, who voted against the original Bill, but supported the Appropriations Bill. Indeed only nine out of 67 members of the Senate were found to register their votes against the measure which grants these colossal funds for providing aid for Britain. Now the Administration is free to go full steam ahead. It is considering ways and means of releasing ships for Britain's immediate use as well as building ships for future use, and plans are being put into execution for employing millions of additional workers in the defence industries for the supply of the American, the British, the Greek and the Chinese forces—and those on the main fighting front are to have the first claim.
Previous page
