AMERICAN WARSHIPS CONCENTRATE

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 181, 29 April 1941, Page 7

AMERICAN WARSHIPS CONCENTRATE

Plans for Atlantic Patrol

GERMANS TO BE HUNTED OVER WIDE AREA

(By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Received April 28, 9 p.m.) WASHINGTON, April 28. Disclosing that the patrol operations by the United States’ Atlantic fleet have already been greatly extended, informed sources indicated that the navy had concentrated large numbers of small war vessels along the eastern seaboard in recent months. These craft are the most useful for patrol work. Functioning in close collaboration with these are long-range aeroplanes and cruisers. The navy has been building increasing quantities of small craft, and most have gone to the Atlantic rather than the Pacificjleet. It is believed the Atlantic squadron, which was originally 125 vessels, now numbers at least 200, the vast majority of which are operating off the New England and Canadian coasts.

Inquiries by the White House into the Senate’s attitude toward legislation authorizing the convoying of cargoes to Britain has revealed, according to well-informed quarters, that 43 of the 95 Senators oppose such action

Some members of tlie Legislature consider that if President Roosevelt decides that convoys are necessary it might be better for him to order them without seeking Congressional authority, with a consequent long and controversial debate. There is still a difference of opinion as to whether the President has such authority. The announcement that the neutrality patrol will be extended has spurred the opponents of convoys to seek a show-down.

Informed quarters understand that the plan is for American ships to maintain a safe channel several hundred miles wide by means of a criss-cross

patrol, and to keep cargo vessels advised of the whereabouts of submarines and suspicious surface ships. The patrol, it is believed, will operate so that battleships, cruisers, destroyers, aircraft-carriers, and bombers will cover the area, reporting their observations in plain English by radio. It is likely that when cargo vessels reach the most dangerous areas they will be joined by British warships.

Officials acquainted with the plan say that if a patrol found the Axis ships of superior fire-power and speed ships would be detailed to follow them and report their movements, enabling British ships to move against the enemy.

It is admitted that such tactics involve risks, but the issue of peace or war with the United States rests on any decision by Germany and Italy to “make something of it.”