NO MORE TO SPARE

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 37, 13 February 1941, Page 9

NO MORE TO SPARE

WARSHIP BUILDING

AHEAD OF SCHEDULE

(By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright.)

(Received February 13, 11 a.m.)

WASHINGTON, February 12.

Asked if he agreed with Mr. -Will-: kie's suggestion lo give more destroyers to Britain, the Secretary of the Navy, Colonel Knox, stated that he was opposed to "depleting the United States fleet further." He said: "We have no more destroyers to spare if we want a balanced fleet." Colonel Knox said that"there were no requests pending from Britain for any United States warships. He added that construction work on all warships was from 30 to 60 days ahead of schedule. The battleship North Carolina would, be commissioned in April, and a sister-ship, the Washington, probably in July.

, The Senate Foreign delations Committee rejected a Republican proposal making necessary the approval of the Army; and Navy Chiefs of Staff before President Roosevelt would,be able to transfer any armaments to foreign Powers. MR. WILtKIE'S EVIDENCE. Mr.'Willkie, in his evidence before the Senate Foreign Relations Commits tee, stressed that, while her favoured the Bill, he was opposed to undue concentration of power in "the chief jexeputive. He added that personally Ihe would, prefer to see Congress inj struct the President" to lend or lease I these things. He would much prefer! ito have the impetus come Irom Congress, than from the executive.

Mr. Willkie, replying to questions, said that if he were a Congressman he would oppose . a declaration of war now. He added that if American aid to Britain was effective the United States would be able to influence the type of peace finally written. He explained that the "captured democracies," "including Finland, Estonia, and Latvia, would be freed if the United States tipped the scales in favour of Britain.

Mr. Willkie, replying to further questions, said he thought that passage of the Aid Bill would take America much further away from war.

Senator Vandenberg: Does this allout aid to England finally include our entry into war? >*

Mr. Willkie: No

The United States battleships Washington and North Carolina are the first capital ships built by that country for twenty years. The Washington was launched at Philadelphia on June 1 last, the North Carolina at Brooklyn Navy Yard on June 13. They are of 35,000 tons, carry nine 16in guns, and cost 80,000,000 dollars each. Another ship of the same type should be launched this month. Two others are being' built. The completion of the Washington and North Carolina will give the United States 17 battleships in service.