ALLIED FORCES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 236, 4 October 1940, Page 8

ALLIED FORCES.

REPORTED OFF MADAGASCAR.

LONDON, Oct. 3.

. The Berlin radio stated to-day that Free French forces, co-operating -with British warships, were cruising in the vicinity of Madagascar, against which they were preparing an assault. There is no confirmation of the report in London.

As .a result of the signing of the Japan-Axis pact, action has been taken by the United States-Canadian Joint Defence Board to speed up the construction of defences in both countries, according to an announcement made by Mr. F. H. LaGuardia. In addition to the Pacific coast, the plans of the board concern the defences of New England and those of Newfoundland and Canada as a whole.

Colonel Knox added that the navy did not plan to reinforce the Asiaty , Fleet, the Yanjjtse River patrol, or the units in .the Philippines. It did not intend to withdraw 1000 marines from Shanghai.

Aeked whether the navy had negotiated with Britain for the use of the Singapore Base, or planned a survey of tho facilities with the view to their future use, Colonel Knox said he knew of none.

Asked if he was satisfied with the size and number of American bases in the Pacific, Colonel Knox replied: "I am not satisfied with anything, because I want everything better. Of course the baee situation in the Pacific could be improved. ,.