DANGER SEEN

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 201, 3 June 1940, Page 3

DANGER SEEN

INVOLVING THE UNITED STATES PRESIDENT ON DEFENCE PLANS. (United Press Association. —Copyright.) WASHINGTON. May 31. President Roosevelt asked Congress to increase defence spending by approximately 0,000,000 dollars, because of the “possibility of the American Continent being involved in a world-wide war.” Ho also asked authority to call for active service such members of the National Guard as were necessary to maintain neutrality and national defence.

“While the possibility exists that not one or two continents, but all may be involved in a world-wide war, reasonable precaution demands that the American defences shall be made more certain,” he said. “The almost incredible events of the past fortnight in the European conflict, particularly as a result of the use of aviation and mechanised equipment, with the possible conseqquonces of further developments, necessitate another enlargement of the United States military programme.

“The most obvious lesson of the present war is the value of the speed factor. There is a definite danger in waiting to order equipment, and training after war begins,” lie added. “Therefore I suggest the speedy enlargement of the programme for equipping and training in light defence needs. The problem of defending national institutions and our territorial integrity is no longer one for men equipped simply with indomitable determination. Modern defence requires determination, supported by highly-developed machinery of industrial productive capacity.” President Roosevelt did not specify the exact figure for the added programme, but said it would bo over 1,000,000,000 dollars. It is understood it will actually approximate 1.250,000,000, of which the Army’s share will be 700,000,000, the, Navy’s 300,000,000, the youth training scheme 250,000,000. President Poosevelt divided his requests into: (1) Acquisition of critical material, such as guns, tanks and planes; (2) additional facilities to enable the mass production of weapons; (3) authorisation to call up the National Guard reserves for training; and (4) the training of specialists to handle technical non-combatant machines behind the lines.

“The increased gravity of the situation indicates that action should he taken without delay,” concluded President Roosevelt.