Activity in Washington
The United States Administration was ready for action when President Roosevelt made his declaration of policy. He is now armed with extensive powers which he is capable of exercising without recourse to new legislation. He has signed the mandatory Priorities Bill and has now the statutory right to bring civilian production under his control for purposes of defence, and has already put the whole oil production of the country under the Secretary of the Interior. Large quanti- ties of merchant shipping are to be turned over to Britain, and American vessels are to replace British on various Pacific routes. The fleet is fully prepared to carry out the President's programme—not yet revealed—and to meet any challenge which Germany may choose to offer ; and a country as far west as Greenland is to be brought within the orbit of American protection. It is in these circumstances, armed with extraordinary powers, that Mr. Roosevelt has begun discussions with Mr. Winant, the American Ambassador, who has flown from London to see him. The latter has brought with him a general report from London containing, no doubt, the fullest inside information on what is happening in Britain, and our most urgent needs. Whether he has some special and peculiar piece of information to convey is a matter of speculation, but without that there is quite enough to explain his journey at a moment when so many critical issues demanding swift action confront both countries.
