DEFENCE OF U.S.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 75, 9 January 1941, Page 6

DEFENCE OF U.S.

PRESIDENT’S PROPOSALS.

MAINTAINING THREE FLEETS THE REORGANISATION PLAN (United Press Association —Copyright.) (Received This Day, 9.30 a.m.) WASHINGTON, January 8. President Roosevelt’s order was announced by Colonel Knox, who simultaneously stated tliat it is not ibelievea the United States can detach any more destroyers from the fleet without seriouslv impairing its efficiency. Colonel Knox stressed that this was one opinion which would determine the Government’s policy. Under the reorganisation nlam there will be three fleets—Pacific, Asiatic and Atlantic —each under a Commandcr-ur-Chief. Colonel Knox said the reorganisation represented an arrangement which fitted the facts. They had gradually been enlarging the Atlanticfleet and its assumed dignity warranted its establishment as a separate fleet. Colonel Knox said that no change in the size of this fleet was contemplated at present. . The new request for defence isb/ per cent above the current year’s Government income, estimated at 8,275,000,000 dollars, an ..all-time record. The deficit is estimated at 9,219,000,000, the largest peace-time figure in history. The national debt will reach 58,367,000,000 dollars by June 30. The projected spending for defence and non-defence purposes next year exceeds the estimated expenditures for the current yfcar by 4,283,000,000 dollars. Sixty-two per cent, is for national defence. Non-defence expenditure totals 6,674,000,000 dollars. Mr Roosevelt said he deemed it vital to retain the existing social security programmes. He recommended that workers not covered be included in the old-age and unemployment insurance.

Mr Roosevelt asked Congress to appropriate 16,000,000 dollars for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, enabling 500 G-men to be added to the present force of 1547 in order to protect the United States from saboteurs and spies.