TRANSFER OF U.S. DESTROYERS

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 120, 14 February 1941, Page 8

TRANSFER OF U.S. DESTROYERS

Willkie’s Suggestion Opposed

VIEW OF SECRETARY OF NAVY (by Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright.) WASHINGTON, February 12. Asked if he agreed with Mr. Wendell Willkie’s suggestion to give more destroyers to Britain, the Secretary of the Navy, Colonel Knox, stated that he was opposed to “depleting the United States fleet further.” He said: “We have no more destroyers to spare if we want a balanced fleet.” Colonel Knox said that there were no requests pending from Britain for any United States warships. lie added that construction work on .•ill warships was from 30 to GO days ahead of schedule. The battleship North Carolina would be commissioned in April, and a sister-ship, the Washington, probably in July.

Commenting on Colonel Knox’s statement, Mr. Willkie said: “I am .surprised. The information given me by high authorities in the Government after my testimony yesterday confirmed my view that we are in a position, without injury to our navy, to give Britain immediate effective assistance by furnishing her with additional destroyers.”

It is noteworthy that the only high Government official Mr. Willkie met after his testimony was Mr. Roosevelt.

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee has accepted all the House Committee's amendments to the Aid to Britain Bill, but has turned down all others, including a series offered by Mr. Taft.

The committee rejected a Republican proposal making necessary the approval of the army and navy chiefs of staff before President Roosevelt would be able to transfer any armaments to foreign Powers.