DANGER TO U.S.A.

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 92, 12 January 1940, Page 10

DANGER TO U.S.A.

Stressed By Admiral

TASK OF DEFENDING HEMISPHERE New Cruiser Proposal By Telegraph.—Press Aesn.—Copyright. (Received January 11, 7.5 p.m.) WASHINGTON, January 10. Admiral Stark, Chief of Naval Operations, continuing his testimony before the Naval Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives, disclosed that the navy proposes to build an undisclosed number of cruisers totalling 192,000 tons, giving the United States a commanding position in the cruiser category. According to the “New York Times” Washington correspondent the cruisers will be the world s largest, fastest and most heavily armed and will be of an entirely new type of 12,000 to 20,000 tons, armed with guns and aircraft, and anti•aircraft guns superior to any yet placed on cruisers. Admiral Stark said: “The shifts in international political alignments since 1938 present the possibility of a coalition attack on the Western Hemisphere. “America’s present navy could not defend the hemisphere comfortably against an attack by -such groups as Italy and Germany, or Russia ami Japan,” lie said. “We might have to Sacrifice Southern Brazil for the time being.” Congressman’ C. Vinson announced that he would challenge the navy’s proposed appropriation for the base at Guam. Admiral Stark-explained that if the funds were not available, the navy would be compelled to use Guam harbour, despite the hazards. Defence Expenditure. The Appropriations Committee of the House of Representatives approved President Roosevelt’s recommendations for 'defence expedlture in connexion with the national emergency proclamation. The President asked Congress to provide 207,200,000 dollars for the army, the navy, the coastguard service, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, in order to provide the following increases in personnel: The army, from 10,009 to 277,000; the national guard, from 41,000 to 251,000; the navy, from 29,000 to 145,000; the Marine Corps, from 0000 to 25,000; and the coastguard service, from 2000 to 10,800. The navy is to receive 28,590,000 dollars to buy 518 aircraft for the use of the neutrality patrol. The coastguard appropriation is chiefly for the purpose of recommissioning inactive vessels. The neutrality patrol is now being extended 800 miles out to sea. Countering Espionage.

Mr. J. Edgar Hoover, giving evidence in support of an emergency fund of 1,475,000 dollars, which is included in the grand total, for use in countering espionage and sabotage, told the committee that the Federal Bureau of Investigation had compiled extensive indices of all persons engaged in activities which might be detrimental to internal security. In the event of war the bureau could identify individuals and groups immediately. He added that the bureau was receiving 78,000 complaints of sabotage and espionage annually. Plans had been made to protect 450 plants against foreign espionage. He described the theft and recovery of plans of an air corps bomber at a west coast factory.