The Pittsburgh Press (April 18, 1941)
WAR’S THREAT TO U.S. CITED BY PRESIDENT
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Chief executive silent on question of Allied reverses in Greece
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Washington, April 18 (UP) –
President Roosevelt declared today that the American public does not appreciate the extreme seriousness of the European war and its implications concerning life in the United States. Public awareness of the significance of the struggle is gradually increasing but thus far has been inadequate, the President said at a press conference.
He said he did not care to answer a question as to whether Allied reverse in Greece made America’s position more critical.
The President made clear that he is broadening the war aid program under the Lend-Lease Act so as to send material aid to China in its struggle with Japan.
Authorization made
He said specific authorizations have been made, but he was not certain whether materials actually have begun moving toward the Far East.
For information on actual shipments, he said he would have to consult Lauchlin Currie, administrative assistant whom he sent to China this spring to investigate the war situation.
The President professed complete ignorance of a conference reportedly opening at Singapore today among naval and diplomatic representatives of the United States, Great Britain, Australia and the Netherlands East Indies. Consultations with other countries on the Far Eastern situation have been going on intermittently since about 1810, he said.
Silent on Observation Corps
The President refused to answer a question as to whether the Army’s organization of a Civilian Observation Corps for airplane spotting might infer that there is danger of an air attack against this country. He told the questioner that he knows as much on that subject as the President himself.
Mr. Roosevelt said that experimental organization of civilian observers in New York had worked very well and the Army was pleased. In that instance, he said, civilian organizations over an area between the Mohawk River and Lake Champlain functioned effectively in spotting “enemy” airplanes and reporting their activities and numbers to the corps “defending” the United States in war games.