DEFENCE PROGRAMME IN U.S.A.

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 208, 29 May 1940, Page 10

DEFENCE PROGRAMME IN U.S.A.

Grant Sought For Training Civilian Pilots MACHINE TOOL INDUSTRY’S BIG TASK (By Telegraph.— I’rcss Assn. —Copyright.) WASHINGTON, May 27. President Roosevelt has asked Congress for a supplementary appiopria don of 32,000,000 dollars for lite training of civilian pilots under the Civil Aeronautics Authority. Tlie Secretary to the Treasury, Mr. 11. Morgenthau, said that the machine tool industry must supply at least 200,000,000 dollars worth of iniw tools for tlie defence programme. It is possible, though not probable, that 1942 motor-ears will be '.he same models as those of 1911, which an official of one of the largest motor manufacturing concerns assured Mr. Morgenthau liis firm was willing to do, if necessary.

U.S. MINISTER TO CANADA Mr. J. P. Moffat Nominated (Received May 28, 7.5 p.m.) WASHINGTON, May 27. President Roosevelt Ims nominated Mr. Jay Pierrepont Moffat, at present chief of the State Department's European Division, to succeed Mr. Cromwell, the Minister to Canada. Mr. Moffat accompanied Mr. Sumner Welles on his recent tour of Europe. Mr. Cromwell lias resigned to contest a seat in the National Senate for New Jersey. SENATE PROHIBITION (Received .May 28, 7.5 p.m.) WASHINGTON, May 27. The Senate voted to forbid any concern engaged in interstate commerce to hire a Communist or a member of the German-American bund. BEHIND ENEMY LINES Chewing Gum Aids Escape Of R.A.F. Pilot (British Oflicial Wireless.) RUGBY, .May 27. The story has been told of liow a British pilot, shot down over enemy territory, was able to make his way back to his base. Over the east of Belgium in the early days of the German push flight lieutenant was returning aftci engaging enemy bombers. He was attacked by six lighters, but managed to get away. His engine had been holed, however, and it became evident that lie would not be able to reach home. He landed in a field, and with the help of peasants working nearby he pulled branches to cover his aircraft. He had just time to hide in a ditch when German bombers came over. “I thought they had spotted my aircraft for certain,” said the pilot. “They kept cruising around for about 10 minutes, coming quite low. and all the time I expected them to open up with ma-chine-gun fire, but lhe camouflage must have been quite good, for they finally flew away.” The pilot dodged from tlie ditch, examined tlie engine, and found two small holes, but the aircraft was otherwise undamaged. Walking to the nearest town, fie obtained a motor-car, petrol, and oil from a garage, and persuaded several men to act as bearers. He bought a packet of chewing gum at a grocery store. “I chewed the gum a bit to get it ‘tacky,’ and then plugged tlie holes. It set very well. I got the petrol and oil in, then took oil, and so home.” VISIT TO MOSCOW Sir Stafford Cripps On Trade Mission LONDON, May 27. It is stated authoritatively that Sir Stafford Cripps, the Labour M. 8., has gone to Moscow. In connexion with his visit, the British Government has received a reply from the Soviet Government which is designed as an endeavour to establish a basis for resumed trade talks between (lie two countries. There is no reason to believe that the reply was at all unfavourable, but certain formalities have yet to be concluded.