AMERICA’S DEFENCE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 58, Issue 88, 24 January 1938, Page 5

AMERICA’S DEFENCE.

larger naval forces.

PRESIDENT’S EXPECTED POLICY. (United Press Association—Copyright.) NEW YORK, Jan. 23. The Washington- 1 1 correspondent' of the “New York-Times” says ;that,President Roosevelt’s; national, defence message to Congress, which is expected on Monday or Tuesday, is likely to precipitate the most far-reaching changes in the national defence structure since the naval treaty in 1922; The developmentsi'.expectedkto* follow the message include: — (1) The. introduction in the House of Representatives of a hill authorising a general 20 per cent, increase in naval tonnage over the present limits, construction of 42 auxiliary vessels, the 2500 aeroplanes, 1 ; the--total ''-eostw <ff which during "the Hyears. o£ operation of the plan will probably exceed"!,ooo,ooo, 000 dollars. . (2) Attempts by “army-, minded Congressmen to increase the army appropriation for 1939 by 25,000,000 dollars for additional anti-aircraft equipment, ammunition, tanks, artillery, etc. ~ (3) A thorough debate on foreign policy and the defence proposals in gelation to it, which might virtually affect the course of the United States concerning the Far East. President Roosevelt is also expected to recommend the authorisation of the construction of two more dreadnoughts.