PART OF U.S. NAVY

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 14, 17 January 1941, Page 7

PART OF U.S. NAVY

Possible Transfer to

Britain

MENTION BY MR. STIMSON

Invasion Not Impossible

LONDON, January 16.

Mr. Henry Stimson, United States Secretary for War, today visualised the possible transfer of part of the United States navy to Britain. He said he would oppose any clause in the Lease and Lend (Aid to Britain) Bill which forbade such a move. His reason was that he could foresee conditions in which the transfer could be made on very advantageous terms.

Questioned while giving* evidence before the Foreign Affairs Committee of the United States House of Representatives about the possibility of the invasion of America, his reply was that it would be a very great danger were it not.for the British Navy. .

He said the essence of the plan for aiding Britain and other nations for resisting aggression was to make the Government the sole purchasing and distributing agency for material of war produced in the United States. He compared the present situation in regard to munitions with that prevailing in 1917. In 1917, he said, British supplies were so abundant that Britain could, and did, supply the United States with the great bulk of the weapons she needed. But today, instead of being helped by other nations, America was preparing her own defences in consideration of the needs of the Allies. <

He described the United States as a great production centre in which munitions would be apportioned both at home and among the Democracies whose defence was important to America. He was asked whether with the United States naval strength any foreign nation could invade America. He replied that United States soldiers could probably repel a land invasion by 50,000 troops, but it had to be remembered that the troops would be accompanied by aircraft. WIDESPREAD APPROVAL. Mr. Stimson's evidence follows that given yesterday by the Secretary of State, Mr. Cordell Hull, whose declaration that America must turn herself into an arsenal for the democracies has won widespread approvals Typical comment is that of the "New York Herald-Tribune," which writes: "The totalitarian attack is real; the strategic facts are real; and the importance of Britain for the preservation, of the United States is real. We cannot face the facts half way." Isolationists, faced with the overwhelming opinion of the bulk of the nation, are trying to revive the argument that it is not worth while adopting President Roosevelt's plan because American munitions cannot arrive in Britain in time to affect the spring fighting, but this argument is easily disposed of by Administrative supporters. They point out that present aid is enough to repel Hitler's attempt to gain a quick decision, and increasing American armaments are needed for , the great British offensive at the end of this year or the beginning of next. TURKISH COMMENT. Mr. Stimson's comparison with 1917 is referred to by the Turkish newspaper "Ulus." . It says that in 1917 Germany dominated Europe but was faced with growing support for the Allies from the United States. That was her undoing, and might well be her undoing again, for when a nation was forced into carrying out a plan she was bound to lose half her chance of success.

The "Ulus" comments on the fact thot German newspapers which have recently urged immediate action before United States help can arrive giye a picture of Germany torn by anxiety Today one German newspaper finds it necessary, to smooth away the doubts of its readers about the promised invasion of Britain. It argues there has been no invasion yet because it is much better to keep the people of Britain living under the nervous strain of a threatened invasion.