NEW AND STRONGER NAVAL POLICY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 220, 16 September 1940, Page 8

NEW AND STRONGER NAVAL POLICY.

AMERICAN PLANS. Based On Prospective Two Ocean Fleets. United Press Association.-—Copyright. (Reed. 11 a.m.) WASHINGTON, Sept." 15. President Roosevelt has approved the new and stronger naval policy drawn up by the Naval Board, based on the prospective two-ocean fleet and the recent acquisition of new naval outposts and the strengthening of the naval air arm. The policy means the developing of two main hasps on each coast. The one in Hawaii will lw continued, while air bases will bo developed in coastal areas on outlying, islands to support naval operations. The board states that its major aims are:— (1) The organisation and maintenance of a fleet for major operations in both oceans. (2) The development of naval aviation as an integral part of the fighting forces, indicating new stress. (3) The development and maintenance of shore activities, including strategic bases for the support of mobile forces. (4) Locating shore activities in such geographical areas and euch construction as to promote security from air and other attack. (5) To foster civil industries useful in wartime. (6) To make building superiority the major aim. It is stated that the Asiatic Fleet and other detached forces will be kept in readiness for incorporation in the main fleet. Secretary's Review. The United States. Secretary of the Navy, Colonel W. F. Knox, a'fter five days at eea with the battle fleet, said American sea forces were the most • powerful and most effective in the whole world. He stated that after his return to Washington he would do everything possible to make Pearl Harbour the most impregnable bulwark of American defences in the Pacific. Colonel Knox added that he believed the army and air strength in the islands needed urgent expansion. He understood that new bombers could be sent. "The United States must revise the earlier concept that safety lies in insularity, based on the great fortune that br.oad oceans stretch on both sides of us," said Colonel Knox. "With new weapons available to aggressors, and when might alone rules the world, we know there will be no safety which does not provide safety and security for the entire western world." Colonel Knox will return to the United States by air on Monday. BILL PASSED. Conscription Introduced In United States. PRESIDENT SIGNS TO-DAY. WASHINGTON, Sept. 15. The United States Senate approved the final draft of the Conscription Bill and sent it to the House of Representatives, which also approved the measure. President Roosevelt is to sign the bill on Monday. The first draft of men between the ages of 21 and 35 is expected to be called up on November 1. Immediately after the passage of the Conscription Bill Mr. Roosevelt asked Congress for an additional 1,600,000,000 dollars to provide for expenses in the firet year's training, for which 800,000 men may be called up. The Senate earlier sent the bill back to a conference after a deadlock on the revised industrial draft provision. Immediately after the Senate's action, the conference of representatives of both Houses met and. • restored the original provision to the bill, empowering the President- without restriction to take over at "just rentals" plants which refused defence contracts. SUNK BY MINES. TWO FRENCH VESSELS. . (Reed. 2 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 15. The Berlin news agency stated that a convoy of ten French merchantmen, en route from North Africa to Marseilles, carrying demobilised soldiers, ran into a minefield. Two ships were sunk but I the majority of, the crews and soldiers were rescued.. M. BLUM ARRESTED. (Reed. 1 p.m.) ' LONDON, Sept. 15. The British United Press Vichy corresj pondent says M. Blum, former Socialist 'premier, has been arrested.-