BRITISH FLEET PROTECTS AMERICA.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 156, 3 July 1940, Page 7

BRITISH FLEET PROTECTS AMERICA.

BARRIER TO NAZIS.

United States Would Be

Next Victim.

NECESSITY FOR DEFENCE. United Press Association.—Copyright. (Received noon.) WASHINGTON, July 2. During the statement to the Senate Naval Committee by Mr. Stimson, Senator Edwin C. Johnson (Democrat) asked: Do you believe we will be the next victims of Hitler? Mr. Stimson: No, there's one victim •till holding the barrier on the North Atlantic. When that victim is Btnick down we will be at least most likely to be. Every day the barrier to Hitler's crossing the Atlantic holds out the better it is for us.

Senator Taft: If Britain could only be •aved by the United States' entry into ■war would you favour it, even though Germany had not attacked us ?

Mr. Stimson: Only if by so doing it would better our defensive position. At present our own protection involves the preservation of the British Fleet, but three years hence it might not.

Mr. Stimson recommended the prompt establishment of selective compulsory training and service, the passage of which would bring home to every citizen the critical nature of the emergency. He added that with the development of longrange bombers the United States' defence line was pushed far into the Atlantic, embracing Puerto Rico, Bermuda, New and North-east Canada.

It was recognised that a powerful enemy, securing a base in any of these Places, could devastatingly attack the United States' eastern seaboard.

Replying to members of the committee, Mr. Stimson said a third term for President Roosevelt was not discussed. "This mission," he said, "'is not related to Politics."

•Asked how he would regulate the transfer of munitions to foreign purchasers, under the programme of giving the Allies aid, short of war, Mr. Stimson •aid: "I would consider whether the Munitions were more useful to the United otat.s here or there."