Washington, May 12.
President Roosevelt yesterday extended the Neutrality Act to apply to Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg.
While some Congressional leaders declared that the Government's policy is leading the United States toward war through the Far Eastern side door, Congress yesterday prepared to speed up land, sea and air preparedness programmes.
President Roosevelt was expected to ask Congress within the next few i days to increase the record peace time defence budget of US$2,000,000,- 000 by as much as 25 per cent. Republicans and Democrats joined in predicting the approval of such a request, but 20 isolationist Senators will meet on Monday to discuss the strategy to be used in attacking such an increase. The request for US$20,000,000 for anti-submarine nets to protect Pearl Harbour, Hawaii, and other harbours, will be renewed.
Mr. Stephen Early, the White House secretary, told the press yesterday that 90 per cent. of several thousand telegrams received by the President yesterday reacted favourably to Mr. Roosevelt's speech Friday night. The remainder asked for "peace at any price," he said—United Press.
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