CANADA'S WAR RESOURCES

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23086, 31 July 1940, Page 9

CANADA'S WAR RESOURCES

LIMIT PLACED ON j * RECRUITING ENGLAND NOT SHORT OE MANPOWER (UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION —COPYRIGHT.) (Received July 30, 8.0 p.m.) 1 OTTAWA, July 29. The Minister lor Defence (Mr J. Ralston), in the House of Commons, said: "Our front line is the island for* tress of the British Isles. Canada will shortly have a corps of two divisions in that front line.” Outlining the military programme, the Minister added that it would not serve the common cause at present to have additional Canadians in England, where there was no shortage of manpower. The real demand was for eq Wh\Tc calling up 30,000 men a month under the National Resources Mobilisation Act, the Government did not intend at present to send more troops overseas or to increase the active service forces. At present it was not contemplated that the Canadian Corps of two divisions in England would be enlarged, but the third and fourth divisions, now being - completed, would be equipped and trained in Canada. An Eastern Command was being established in the Maritime Provinces to control Newfoundland, Iceland, and the West Indies. Troops would also provide defence against possible attack. Recruiting for the non-permanent militia would be suspended on August 15, after which men would enter the militia as called up under the Mobilisation Act. Those aged 21 and 22 will begin 30 days’ training on October I.' The total strength of the Canadian active service forces at home and abroad is 133,000. PAN-AMERICAN AFFAIRS Decisions of Havana Conference COLONIES PLAN ADOPTED (Received July 30, 11 p.m.) \ HAVANA, July 29. The plenary session of the PanAmerican Conference adopted the economic resolution as a first step towards Mr Roosevelt’s exports cartel plan, which must be implemented by legislation in the affected nations. It also adopted the United States Fifth-Column proposal, after which it adjourned. There remains only the open plenary session to-morrow for the signature of accords, and the adoption of final acts and speeches outlining the achievements of the conference. Argentina filed a reservation from the colonies declaration, namely, that the Malvinas (Falkland Islands) and other regions are Argentina’s and not a colony or possession of a European nation and therefore are not affected by declaration. The plenary session unanimously approved a convention providing for collective pan-American trusteeship over the New World possessions of conquered European nations, in effect implementing the Monroe Doctrine. The conference also approved the Act of Havana,” providing for the interim an application of the same principles until the convention is ratified. TLS. POLICY IN ASIA MR SUMNER WELLES’S STATEMENT (Received July 30, 7.30 p.m.) WASHINGTON. July 29. The Under-Secretary of State (Mr Sumner Welles), in response to a request for a clarification of his statement of July 19, made it plain that the United States would relinquish its special rights in China only to a legitimate, recognised Government of China. He added that his statement of July 19 did not indicate that the United. States was backing down on its opposition to the closing of the Burma road. DESTROYER WREN SUNK LONDON. July 29. In an engagement between German aeroplanes and British naval forces, a destroyer. H.M.S. Wren, of 1100 tons, was hit by a bomb and sunk. A second destroyer. H.M.S. Montrose, shot down two of the attackers. The Wren, which was completed in 1919. had a displacement of 1120 tons,. a speed of 34 knots, and a main armament of four 4.Tin guns and six torpedo tubes. British Salvage Drive Begins.— Britain’s great - salvage drive started yesterday. It will make householders exercise more care as to what they put in rubbish tins. One collector saved four tons of metal and two tons of paper in a few hours this morning'.— Rugby, July 29. U.S. Defences. —Mr Roosevelt, after inspecting .the Chesapeake Bay defences, said the United States’s chance of repelling an invader was still conjectural. in spite of the intense drive for preparedness.—Washington, July 29. Food Supplies in Europe.—The United States Department of Agriculture reports that European supplies, of bread and grains are between 5 per cent, and 10 per cent, under peacetime needs. Cattle feed supplies are from 10 per cent, to 15 per cent, deficient.—Washington, July 29.