What's Cooking

President Roosevelt decided this week not to make any radio speeches in the near future. Reasons: he felt that he has talked himself out for the present; that his voice can carry no further immediate weight. Possible further reason: he may now believe that only actions and events will wake up the U.S.

Atlantic Battle. But many another thing beside radio speeches was cooking in the White House. The President planned direct and drastic action to win the Battle of the Atlantic. He pondered issuing a proclamation, in the form of an executive announcement, that if the Germans send submarines or bombers into the area between Halifax and Iceland the U.S. will fire on them. He was prepared at last to order U.S. warships to convoy from the U.S. to Iceland. British warships might cooperate in the convoys, but a U.S. flagship would accompany each group.

Several Cabinet members, headed by War Secretary Henry L. Stimson, were advising the President to present the action to Congress for approval. Mr. Roosevelt, leery of Congress after the House's 203-to-202 vote on retention of draftees, had thus far refused.

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