LIBERTY FLEET DAY

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23446, 29 September 1941, Page 5

LIBERTY FLEET DAY

AMERICAN SHIPPING PRODUCTION 14 NEW CARGO VESSELS LAUNCHED (Received September 28, 10 p.m.) (U.P.A.-8.0.W.) WASHINGTON, September 27. In a broadcast address on Liberty Fleet Day when 14 of 312 emergency type cargo ships were launched, President Roosevelt said; “This is a memorable day in the history of American shipbuilding and a memorable day in the emergency defence of the nation. To-day from dawn to dusk 14 ships are being launched on the Atlantic, on the Pacific, and in the Gulf of Mexico. Among them is the first Liberty ship, Patrick Henry. “While we are proud of what we are doing, this is no time to be content.” said Mr Roosevelt. “We must build more and still more cargo ships. We must speed up until we achieve a launching daily and then two ships daily. Our shipbuilding programme, mercantile and naval, is one of our answers to the aggressors who would strike at our liberty. “The shipworkers of America are doing a great job. They are striking a telling blo.w at the menace to our nation and the liberty of free peoples. They struck 14 such blows to-day. They have caught the true spirit with which all this nation must be imbued if Hitler is to be prevented from crushing us. “We Americans as a whole cannot listen to those few Americans who preach the gospel of fear and who say, in effect, that they are still in favour of the freedom of the seas, but who would have the United States tie up our ships. That attitude is neither truthful nor honest. We propose that these ships shall sail the seas to the best of our ability to protect them from torpedo, from shell, and from bomb. “The Patrick Henry, as one of the Liberty ships launched to-day renews that great patriot's stirring demand, ‘Give me liberty or give me death.’ There shall be no death for America, for democracy or for freedom. There must be liberty, world-wide and eternal. That is our prayer and our pledge to all mankind.” The chairman of the United States Maritime Commission (Rear-Admiral Emery S. Land), in a broadcast address, said: "American shipyards must further increase production to offset the shortage of freighters and hasten the defeat of the aggressors.” The British Minister for War Transport, Lord Leathers, to-day sent the following message to Rear-Admiral Land; “Liberty Fleet Day symbolises for us and our Allies the cause for which we are fighting. Only by the freedom of the seas can the freedom of the world be secured. It is indeed an auspicious day which sees the launching from your yards of 12 United States and two British vessels.” An indication of the magnitude of the United States shipbuilding programme, the success of which will have such an important effect, not only on the Battle of the Atlantic, but also on the whole war, is given by the “Los Angeles Times.” which says that 947 vessels of 5,851,000 tons are now on or-der-treble the number on order a year ago. The current programme already totals two-thirds of the American Merchant Marine now afloat. Contracts, it is anticipated, will shortly bring new construction to more than 1300 ships, EMBARRASSMENT TO COUNTRY AMERICAN NEUTRALITY ACT LONDON. September 27. A statement that the Neutrality Act was an embarrassment to America and should be wiped off the Statute Book was made by the United States Secretary for the Navy (Colonel Frank Knox) when he arrived in Bermuda to inspect the American naval bass there. Colonel Knox expressed satisfaction at the progress of the base, which, he said, would be second only to those in Iceland and Newfoundland. AMERICA MAY ENTER WAR OPINION OF GENERAL SMUTS JOHANNESBURG, September 27. “The immeasurable resources of the United States are behind the Empireand I have no doubt that the time is near when America will be with us in the war,” said General Smuts, in a speech. “By attacking Russia Hitler has done the worst possible for Germany.” “Much very hard fighting is ahead, but the Allies have pulled through serious dangers and have turned cruel corners. Hitler is continually making enemies and peoples throughout Europe are bursting with hatred for him and his works.” ENGINES FOR 65,000 AIRCRAFT AMERICAN PRODUCTION IN 1943 NEW YORK, September 27. In a review of American aircraft production, the “Wall Street Journal” states that in two years from now the American aircraft engine industry will be turning out power plants to keep 65.000 American and British warplanes flying and put 4000 new machines each month in the air. This means 14.000 aeroplane engines a month, capable of developing 16,000,000 horsepower. By July next year, production should be in excess of 8000 engines, and better than 8,700,000 horse-power a month. AMERICAN PILOTS IN R.A.F. , SIX DISMISSED AND SENT BACK TO U.S. (8.0. W.) RUGBY, September 26. Six pilots of the American Eagle Squadron who were training in England have been dismissed and sent back to America. The “Evening News” states ihat they refused to participate in opera’ions unless they were paid from 250 to 350 dollars a month. The pilols were warned that they would be liable to under the American espionage laws if they disclosed information about the Royal Air Force. All the Royal Air Force secrets are known to the United States Government, which also regards them as State secrets. Price Control Needed.—The Federal Director of Priorities (Mr Donald Nelson), testifying before the Banking Committee of the House of Representatives to-day, said that the Price Control Bill should be enacted at once to prevent “an inflationary period that will completely destroy us.” The entire priorities system must be changed to avoid a national disaster which would destroy small businessmen.— Washington, September 26.