PATROLS NOT CONVOYS

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 180, 28 April 1941, Page 7

PATROLS NOT CONVOYS

Present U.S. Policy GETTING SUPPLIES TO BRITAIN Roosevelt’s Attitude

(By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.)

(Received April 27, 7.5 p.m.)

WASHINGTON, April 25. After the forthright pronouncements yesterday by the Secretary of State and the Secretary of the Navy at today’s Press conference, President Roosevelt rather surprisingly placed the emphasis on the extended use of patrol vessels rather than on convoys.

Mr. Roosevelt declared that American neutrality patrol vessels would operate as far into the waters of the Seven Seas as might be necessary for the defence of the American hemisphere, but he said that the Administration was not yet thinking of escorting convoys.

Questioned on reports that 40 per cent, of the supplies shipped to Britain were, being sunk, Mr. Roosevelt said he did not believe that anyone was in possession of accurate data about it. He added that 40 per cent, was an over-high estimate anyway. Captain May, national vice-president of the American Federation of Labour Masters, Mates and Pilots’ Union, said in Chicago that his organization of 7000 seamen was willing to man the convoys across the Atlantic. “My outfit,” he said, “has voted to back up the national defence programme 100 per cent., and if that means shipping on convoys, 0.K.; we will take them on.” Shipping Losses. The Commerce Department reported that British, allied and neutral merchant shipping losses in the first 18 months of the war aggregated 5,400,000 gross tons. The figures are based on losses from September, 1939, through March, 1941. German losses over the same period are estimated at 802,000 tons, and Italian losses at 485,000. making the world total for the war 6,687,000. The Inter-American Economic Advisory Committee, representing 21 American nations, has unanimously approved a resolution recognizing the right to each to requisition immobilized foreign ships in the Western Hemisphere. The Federal authorities are investigating reports that pro-Axis elements are trying to induce seamen not to sign on ships sailing between the United States and Latin American ports. There is a serious shortage of seamen in some ports. Seamen are being offered more money, to stay ashore doing nothing than they get working. In other cases they are being offered other employment at better pay. In some cases of ships manned by seamen whose home countries have been swallowed up by the Axis, threats of harm to the men or their relatives abroad have been made. Lead Wanted.

Mr. Wendell Willkie, speaking to newspapermen, said it was no use speeding up production in the United States if their supplies for the democracies were to rest at the bottom of the ocean. It was time for the Administration to give the people the facts and a lead instead of following public opinion. It was necessary to protect the shipments. Mr. Willkie Called upon the Administration to give the American people the full facts about the reported sinking of war materials en route to Britain, and urged immediate steps to halt the sinkings. “I believe,” he said, “that the American people can be brought to a realization of the seriousness of the situation if the full facts are disclosed.”

Mr. Willkie approved and applauded yesterday's speeches by Colonel Knox and Mr. Hull. The British Ambassador, Lord Halifax, declined to comment on the question of convoys, but he observed: “I don’t suppose people who are working day and night in the production of war materials will see much sense in it if they cannot be delivered.” Patrol Activity.

President Roosevelt declined to amplify his view on the convoy situation, but said that, for a year and a half vessels of the neutrality patrol had been operating 1000 miles into the Atlantic from the eastern shore of Maryland. The President fluid that the patrol would not. necessarily be confined to the Atlantic. Asked to say exactly what was the difference between convoy and patrol, Mr. Roosevelt replied: “In the first Instance it is escorting merchant ships in a group to prevent an act of aggression against them.” “Patrol,” he explained, “is reconnaissance of certain areas of the ocean to find out whether there is any possible aggressor ship that might be coming into the Western Hemisphere.”

The President was reminded that three of his Cabinet officers yesterday publicly expressed concern over aid to Britain, and was asked how this squared with his Press conference remarks. Mr. Roosevelt said that he did not know and dodged the question of whether the country had anything better in mind than the convoy system to ensure delivery of war supplies to Britain. The House Merchant Marine Committee today approved President Roosevelt’s request to requisition for whatever use he elects foreign merchant vessels in American waters. AMERICAN - OPINION Effect Of Balkan Campaign NEW YORK, April 25. A Gallup survey on the reaction of the United States to the war prospects shows that despite the Balkans setback the majority still believe that Britain will win. A vote taken before the Balkans campaign showed that 78 per cent, were convinced of a British victory, 4 per cent, of a German victory. 6 per cent, of a stalemate, with 12 per cent, undecided. A vote since the Balkans campaign shows: British win, 57 per cent.: Axis win. 11 per cent.: stalemate. 8 per cent.: undecided, 24 per cent. The latest vote shows that 71 per cent, are in favour of “keeping on fighting” and 29 per cent, would “make pence.”

BRITISH GUARD IRAQ OILFIELD LONDON, April 25. The Independent French Agency states that, according to reports from Istanbul, British troops have arrived at Mosul, oil centre of Iraq.