NAZI DIPLOMATS IN U.S.

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 136, 5 March 1941, Page 10

NAZI DIPLOMATS IN U.S.

Ordered To Be Ready To Leave GERMAN MOVE Attempt To Influence Aid Bill Debate? (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Received March 4, 8.45 p.m.) WASHINGTON, March 3. The New York “Daily News’’ says that the German consular and diplomatic corps has been ordered to be ready to leave the United States at three days’ notice. It is said that Gustav Gauerke, commercial secretary to the consulate, and several others have indicated that they would prefer to remain in the United States. It is suggested that the purpose of the move may be political—-an attempt to influence further opposition to the Aid Bill.

It was authoritatively stated today that the Government is taking over British-owned arms plants in the United States as part of the Aid to Britain programme, including the British-financed . gunpowder plant at Memphis, Tennessee. Early in the war Britain and France spent 150,000,000 dollars on new plants in the United States and in expanding existing ones. Officials of the British Purchasing Commission declined t o give a list of the plants, but -it is known that the British and French Governments financed two powder factories, aeroplane engine and aircraft plants, and munition factories, . It has been suggested that the cost of such expansion will be applied as part payment for materials which the Government will lend or lease to Britain. The New York “Journal of Commerce'’ today predicts that the authorities, deeming the emergency to be most urgent, will shortly take over automotive plant facilities almost 100 per cent., thus abandoning their prior effort to maintain a large part of normal production. Every piece of automotive machinery that can be adlipted to defence needs is likely to be taken over and officials are now making a rapid survey of plants. The authorities have issued a blanket licence for the export of machine tools, certain* strategic chemicals, and aluminium to Britain and Northern Ireland, The War Department announced that it had placed orders for cheap civilian gas masks with five manufacturers. American Strike Trouble. A strike began today, affecting 4000 workers, most of whom are carpenters and members of the Building Trades Council, at Camp. Davis, Wilmington, North Carolina, in which the 13,000,000-dollar anti-aircraft firing range is under construction. The Under-Secretary for War, Mr. Patterson, has recommended the reestablishment of the World War labour mediation system with a view to obtaining the benefit of every man and hour that labour can throw into the defence programme. Strikes caused the loss of 120,000 man days of labour on defence works in the last week in February. This loss is causing as much concern as the shortage of basic materials.

Senator Barkley indicated a move to limit further debate on the Aid to Britain Bill. Every effort would be made, he said, to obtain a vote on Saturday. One Administration leader, who asked that his name should not be quoted, said tire Government would give the opposition another day or so and then, “if they are still talking, we will exercise pressure to prevent a full-fledge'd filibuster.”

Senator Walsh, chairman of the Naval Committee, told the Senate that naval experts believe that the United States could beat Japan in American waters, but that an engagement in Japanese waters might prove suicidal to the United States fleet. Thomas D. Campbell, noted wheat expert, has been invited to England to give advice on Britain's efforts at large-scale wheat production. Mr. Campbell believes that English production is capable of tremendous ex pansion. Mr. Wendell Willkie has temporarily shelved his visit to China and is to resume his private law practice. The indications are, however, that the invitation to go to Australia is receiving favourable consideration.