FAR-REACHING CHANGES

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 19, 24 January 1938, Page 9

FAR-REACHING CHANGES

POSSIBLE DEVELOPMENTS

HUGE EXPENDITURE

(United Tress -AssocUitlou —By Electric TolcgrapliT-Copyv'Slll-) NEW YORK, January 23. The Washington correspondent of the "New York Times" says thai President Roosevelt's national defence message to Congress is expected on Monday or Tuesday, and is likely to precipitate the most far r reaching changes, in the national defence structure since the naval treaty of 1922, Pe.velapmen.ts \vhjch. are expected to foljpw the introduction of the message inolude: (1) The introduction in the House pf a Bill authorising a general 20 pet cent, increase in naval tqnnage over present limits, the construction of 4? auxiliary vessels, and the expansion of the air forge to. 2500 planes, the total cost o| who'll during the years; of the plan's operation will probably exceed a billion dollars. i (2) Attempts by "army-minded" Congressmen to jncreaise the army appropriation for 1939 by 25,000,000 dollars for additional anti-aircraft equipment, ammunition, tanks, and artillery. ■ (3) A thorough debate on foreign policy and defence proposals in relation thereto, which might virtually affect the course of the United States in regard to the Far East. President; Roqseyelt is .also expected to recommend the authorisation of the construction of two more dreadnoughts.