EMPIRE’S WAR PLANS

Evening Star, Issue 23422, 13 November 1939, Page 4

EMPIRE’S WAR PLANS

THE AIR FORGE SCHEME EXCHANGE PROBLEMS DELAYING COMPLETION NEW YORK, November 11. The Associated Press Ottawa correspondent, Mr David Bailey, says: “ Ottawa can justifiably bo described at present as. Imperial Staff headquarters. Two important phases of tho Empire’s war plans are being devised and co-ordinated. “ First, tho British Supply Board is planning tho. .economic aspects and surveying the raw material resources and industrial potentialities of the United States and Canada preparatory to mobilising industrial production on behalf of tho Allies. “Secondly, Australian, How Zealand, British, and Canadian Ministers and air experts are planning an effort. “ Mr Mackenzie King declares; 1 It may mean tjiat final victory will bo shaped on Canadian soil.’ “ Availability of tho dollar exchange is a most difficult problem in both phases. Already a Canadian shortterm 2 per cent, loan has been used to repatriate 91,000,000 dollars of Canadian 3J per cent, securities held in London, the proceeds being used for buying raw materials, foodstuffs, and armaments. “ A position is envisaged in which Canada may eventually become Britain’s creditor. Exchange problems are delaying completion of the air scheme. It is not a question of disagreement on principles, but finding means of overcoming obstacles tending. to. prevent the participants from supporting the scheme to the extent which each desires. “ Meanwhile, technicians are holding conferences every day and advancing the training organisation. It is likely that the first Australians and New Zealanders will not be seen in any great numbers in Canada for at least 10 to 12 weeks after the scheme has been completed. Experts draw attention to the fact that eight weeks’ preliminary training is required before recruits are ready for the advanced instruction contemplated in Canada. With regard to this, it is emphasised that probably the most important work of experienced Australian and New Zealand Air Force officers will be on their home fronts preparing inexperienced personnel for advanced training. Such importance it attached to this that it is believed that they will serve the Empire best 1,300 miles from the war theatre, this call for sacrifice emphasising the differences betwen this war and the World War. The contemplated organisation provides that squadrons should bear the name of the dominion from which the personnel originates, and,,where possible bo commanded by their own seniors, Possibjy the existing squadrons in Australia ond_ New Zealand will become parent bodies of training squadrons which will bear tho title of the squadrons by which they were trained, thus perpetuating the traditions and interests of the existing Air Forces.” U-BOATS IN CARIBBEAN SECRET MESSAGES FOUND OH PIGEON NEW YORK, November 11. The ‘ New York Times ’ Mexico City correspondent states that the first positive evidence of German submarines in the Caribbean Sea communicating with their agents in Mexico came when a carrier pigeon fell exhausted near Mexico City.. An Indian retrieved it, and it eventually reached representatives of the Allied Powers, who found a tube attached to its leg containing three, pieces of paper. One was a cutting from a German newspaper, in the margin of which was written the date, “ October 17,” time “ 4 a.m.,” and a position in latitude and longitude roughly 15 miles off the mouth of the Panuco River. The cutting did not relate to the war, but it is thought it may have a code meaning. The writing is believed _to indicate the rendezvous of a submarine with Mexican refuelling agents. Also in the tufye was a yellow tissue on which was written “ UZ 69,” apparently representing the submarine, and a German phrase which was translated to mean “ Salute to distant pretty Mexico.” This fragment was signed “ Lena, superior captain iiavy.” Finally, there was a white sheet at the top of which the letters “ J.U.” were repeated three times. The remainder was blank. This is believed to contain writing in invisible ink, and investigators are attempting to use the pigeon to discover where it was headed' when it fell. AMERICAN WAR PLANES MASS PRODUCTION OF ENGINES NEW YORK. November 11. The 1 New York Times ’ Washington correspondent says that the new policy permitting the export of United States service typo planes arises partly from the experts’, desire to see the equipment tested under combat, ami also from the more important economic consideration of tho expansion of the United _States production to enable a steadier” and cheaper source of supply of military aircraft than is available under the hitherto cautious purchasing policy of the army and navy. Already the services have benefited by important price reductions in aeroplane engines attributable directly to foreign orders of sufficient size to enable mass production. VICTORY CERTAIN SPEECH BY FRENCH PRESIDENT NEW YORK, November 12. President Lebrun, broadcasting, declared that men, machines, and materials were ready from Canada to Australia, from South Africa to New Zealand and India, from Madagascar to Indo-China. Ho added that victory was certain because it would come to tho noblest, most generous, and most humane.

FRENCH CHANNEL STEAMER

UNSUCCESSFUL AIR ATTACK PARIS, November 11. A Gorman plane attacked a French Channel steamer shortly after its departure from Franco with HD pnssenirers. ft drowned two hornhs from one fallin.r loflyd* from ilie vessel, which was not scratched.