WARSHIP EXCHANGE

Evening Star, Issue 23831, 11 March 1941, Page 7

WARSHIP EXCHANGE

AMERICA AND BRITAIN DESTROYERS AND CRUISERS FOR BATTLESHIPS PROPOSAL REPORTED UNDER CONSIDERATION Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright WASHINGTON, March 10. Official quarters are responsible for a report that the Government is considering lending 40 destroyers and 10 light cruisers to Britain in return for the loan of three battleships. The United States is plentifully supplied with fast cruisers, such as Britain needs, while Britain possesses magnificent new capital ships which are of little service in the present fighting, but should be valuable to reinforce the United States fleet in the Pacific. The Washington correspondent of the ' New York Times ’ forecasts big naval changes to take place immediately. The correspondent understands that some of the United States Navy’s high-speed oil tankers may also be handed over to Britain. British Press comment on the passing of the Lease and Lend Bill by the United -States Senate envisages the rapid supplementing of Britain’s war supplies as the immediate outcome. The ‘ Daily Herald,’ however, states: “ We cannot afford to relax for one moment on our own production. In order to be a fortress for democracy against the onslaughts of aggression, we must also be an arsenal.” The Berlin Press has launched a severe attack on President Roosevelt, who is described as “ the hangman, of the young nations.” " ENEMY DF THE NEW ORDER " MORE GERMAN PRESS CRITICISM BERLIN. March 10. (Received March 11, at 8 a.m.) The ‘ Borsen-Zeitung ’ says President Roosevelt has made himself not the arbitrator of justice but of injustice. Germany must consider President Roosevelt the enemy of the new order in Europe. The ‘ Volkischer Beobacher ’ states; “ Under the personal leadership of President Roosevelt America is endeavouring to spread the war throughout the world.” PEACE NEGOTIATIONS THAILAND AND INDO-CHINA VICHY’S FINAL INSTRUCTIONS TOKIO, March 10. The French Ambassador, M. Arsens Henry, visited the Japanese Foreign Minister, Mr Matsuoka, and delivered the Vichy Government’s final instruction's for the conclusion of peace. A parley is scheduled to take place shortly, either for formal or provisional signing of a treaty. A Saigon message states that it is authoritatively reported that about 400 Japanese bombers are now based at Tonkin. The French Press for the first time advocated the surrender of the disputed territories. Authoritative sources ridiculed the claims that the French have violated the armistice, and said that unimiportant fighting occurred at one place on the frontier. It was earlier reported from Bangkok that the Thai High Command notified Japan to-day that French troops had violated the armistice agreements at three points on the frontier on Friday and Saturday, thus threatening the mediation efforts at Tokio. VIOLATIONS OF ARMISTICE FRENCH BLAME THAIS SAIGON, March 10. French officials, replying to Thailand charges of violations of the armistice, said Thailand troops were more guilty than the French forces. Thailand troops had crossed into French territory, capturing guards. PEACE TO BE SIGNED TO-DAY SHANGHAI, March 10. (Received March 11, at- 12.15 p.m.)' The Domei Agency correspondent states that the ludo-China-Thailaud peace will be signed at Tokio to-morrow afternoon. AUSTRALIAN NAVAL BOARD REAR-ADMIRAL SIR PAGNAR COLVIN RESIGNING SYDNEY, March 10. (Received March 11, at 8 a.m.) The Minister of the Navy (Mr W M. Hughes) announced that the first member of the Commonwealth Naval Beard, Rear-admiral Sir Pagnar Colvin, was resigning owing to indifferent health, and, pending the appointment of a successor, who would be recommended by the British Admiralty, Commodore J. WV Dunford would fulfil the duties.