MAIN U.S. TASK

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 110, 3 February 1941, Page 7

MAIN U.S. TASK

Send More Planes To Britain KNOX’S TESTIMONY Evidence On Aid Bill (By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright.) (Received February 2, 8.30 p.m.) WASHINGTON, February 1. The Secretary of the _ Navy, Colonel Knox, continuing his testimony before the Foreign Relations Committee of the Senate, told questioners that at present the major task was to increase the number of aeroplanes sent to Britain. He stressed that he did not expect repayment for everything, remarking “that is a matter of secondary importance.” Answering a question whether the United States would face a hopeless situation if Britain were defeated, he said: “We would be obliged to strain every nerve. . • • The best we could do would be to make our own coast safe from attack.” Colonel Knox told the committee that an Axis victory would automatically increase the prospects of a Japanese victory in China. He then answered Senator Nye’s question, “How large a part could Japan play in an Axis combination?” with the remark, “Such data could only oe given at a secret session.” WASHINGTON, January 31. Colonel Knox, throughout his evidence before the Senate Committee, emphasized his belief that if Germany was victorious she would attack lhe United States as soon as she could accumulate her strength. “We cau keep a non-American military Power from our hemisphere only by control of _ the seas, said Colonel Knox. He described Colonel Lindbergh’s proposal for a negotiated peace as wild fancy. . 1 During the questioning of Colonel Knox, Senator Guy Gillette asked: Is it not a fact that American naval strategy has never contemplated a defence of the Philippines?” Colonel Knox replied: “We have admitted its defence to be difficult, but we have never brushed it aside. Non-Support of Treaty. He attributed the present state of the world to Britain’s failure m 1931 to support the United States in sustaining the Nine-Power Treaty, but added that it would be unwise to withhold aid from Britain now because of that earlier incident. Colonel Knox insisted that the Bill will not affect the question of American convoys, since the President already has power to order convoys any time he desires. It is reported from Manila that President Quezon, in a message to the National Assembly, sai'd: “As long as tiie American flag flies over the Philippines the manpower and resources of the Philippines will be at the disposition of the United States. The defence of our country remains, primarily the responsibility of the United States. Mr. Sumner Welles, Under-Secretary for State, yesterday declared that an Axis victory would lead to economic and political attacks on South America, followed by a physical invasion of that region. Mr. Welles asked his New York audience: On the record of the German Government during the past eight years was it possible to imagine that any peace arrived at under present conditions would be worth the paper it was written on?

GENERAL POLICY NOT IMPEDED

Effect Of Amendments LONDON, January 31. The passage of the Aid to Britain Bill through the Foreign Affairs Committee of the United States House of Representatives yesterday has been greeted with satisfaction by the British Press. The minor amendments made in the Bill, pointe out the “Daily Telegraph,” are designed to meet the chief objection to the Bill, that it gave the President too much power. The “Manchester Guardian” remarks that no concessions have been made to the isolationists or to what the Axis Powers might choose to think of the Bill. Opinion in Washington is that the amendments will assist the speedy passage of the Bill, and it is generally recognized they offer no impediments to the general policy of all possible material aid. It is expected that next week the Bill will pass through the committee stage of the debate in the House of Representatives.

MR. WILLKIE TO GO HOME THIS WEEK

Impressed By Repair Of Air Raid Damage (Received February 2, 7.5 p.m.) RUGBY, February 1. Mr. Wendell Willkie this morning announced that he would be returning to America in the middle of the coming week. He has been requested to return to testify before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He stated that he would have liked to visit further industrial centres in England and also Ireland and Scotland but was not able to do so. One of his strong impressions, Mr. Willkie said, was the 'way in which Britain’s air raid damage was being made good. PRESIDENT’S FEUD WITH SENATOR ( Received February 2. 7.5 p.m. I WASHINGTON, J ami ary 31. President Roosevelt, renewing his feud with Senator Wheeler, told bis Press conference that the late ambassador. Mr. Dodd, quoted Senator Wheeler as saying in 1934 that Nazi domination of all Europe was inevitable, adding that if it occurred the safety of the United States lay in taking over Canada. Mexico and the five Centra! American republics. President Roosevelt, said yesterday that it was his birthday, hence he was too busy to read Hitler’s speech. U.S. MEDICAL MISSION RUGBY, January 31. Dr. Thomas Parian, Surgeon General to the United States Public Health Service, is proceeding by air to Britain with a small medical mission to examine health and social problems arising out of tiie intensive air raids.