ABSTRACT
The original Lend-Lease Bill was silent on the subject but in response to protests from the opposition Congress amended the section by a provision that nothing in the act should be construed to authorize convoying. That British shipping was in dire need of protection against German submarines was well known; the transfer of American destroyers to Great Britain in 1940 had advertised the fact to the people of the United States; and news of sea warfare since that action had apparently confirmed it. At the same time it was obvious that if American naval forces convoyed British ships or patrolled the sea lanes for the purpose of warding off German or Italian submarine attacks, a "shooting war" was almost certain to ensue. On the contrary, President Roosevelt, made public statements to the effect that, while he approved lawful "patrolling", he was not intending to use the Navy for convoying.
