PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Evening Star, Issue 23862, 17 April 1941, Page 8

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

NOW IN DECISIVE PERIOD WARNING TO AMERICANS lATHUL UHITY IN REARMAMENT URGED Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright WASHINGTON, April 15. The Secretary for the Navy, Colonel Knox, testifying before the House Naval Affairs Committee to-day, said: “I do not like to be a scaremonger, but from the information I have I may say that we are now in the midst of the decisive period of the war. Step by step I see my country gradually being encircled and isolated, and, if disaster comes to those who are now fighting, I can see this nation surrounded by nations who have not made any secret of their dislike of our institutions and ideals.” Colonel Knox opposed legislation denying the right of men to strike, but national unity in rearmament was necessary because of the very critical period reached. The Secretary of State, Mr Cordell Hull, said there had been no discussion on the possibility of providing armed convoys for American ships taking war supplies via the Red Sea. AMERICA'S RESOURCES THREE IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENTS (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, April 15. The significance of three recent major developments in furtherance of the United States policy of putting their resources behind resistance to aggression has attracted lively interest here. These developments are: (1) A declaration that the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden are no longer regarded as a combat zone forbidden to American shipping. (2) A- decision to ask Congress to authorise the President to requisition neutral shipping now immobilised in American waters, which -will make available, among others, the 69 Danish, German, and Italian ships already detained. (3) The agreement with the Danish Minister in Washington under which the United States takes over the defence of Greenland. AIR BASES IN GREENLAND. ‘ The Times,’ referring to the lastmentioned matter, says: “By establishing air bases in Greenland the United States will extend her screen of outposts, to which the bases recently leased from Britain make so important a contribution. The geographical position of Greenland makes for the exclusion of Nazi aggression or infiltration from that island to vital Canadian interests, and, as a matter of fact, Canada, through a joint defence board, representing both the dominion and the republic, is a participant in all measures taken for the defence of North America. The island, of course, will remain Danish, and it may well be that Greenland will not be the last extension of the zone of American defence. “ Ample warning has been given that the United States, together with other American republics, will not tolerate the transfer of authority in any territory in the Western Hemisphere held by non-American Powers to others who might misuse it for their own purposes. An immediate incentive to the Greenland agreement seems to have been a suspicion, arising out of flights over the island of German aeroplanes, that the Germans contemplated establishing an air base on the southern extremity, which, apart from behm a potential threat to America, would have increased their power -of attack upon Atlantic shipping. It is warmly approved by public opinion in the United States, where it is regarded as forestalling an aggressive move which the Danish Government would have been powerless to resist.” ISOLATIONIST'S VIEWS DENVER, April 16. Senator Wheeler, in a speech at an “ America First ” meeting, said' thousands were sacrificed in blood baths in Europe and Africa because of President Roosevelt’s assurances to their Governments. “ Our promises to the Balkans will he no more effective than the British and French promises to Poland,” ho said. The United States need not go to -war if tho people presented a united front for peace. BRITISH SEA POWER UNDIMINISHED NEW YORK, April 16. The British Ambassador, Lord Halifax, who. was the guest of the English Speaking Union at a dinner, said; “ While the present situation is anxious, there is no reason to suppose it will not be hold. Every stage in the fonvaiid movement imposes new difficulties on the enemy’s problem of maintenance, while the British supply lines are shortened. A stream of British reiforcemeuts, men, and material is flowing into tho war theatre, and this process will be greatly helped by President Roosevelt’s opening of tho Rod Sea to United States shipping. Britsh sea power is imdiininishcd, and in the end will play a large part in bringing down the pillars of the Nazi temple. Ebb and flow always mark the tide of war, hut I have complete confidence in the ultimate outcome.” REARMAMENT PROGRAMME CHEAT EXPANSION. DEMANDED NEW YORK, April 16. (Received April 17, at 8 a.m.) Mr John 1). Diggers, chief of tho Office of Production and Managements (Production Division) told a conference of defence manufacturers that the completion of the rearmament programme would involve 34,000.000,000 mau-hours of work. He said the programme demanded almost unbelievable expansion in employment in certain critical industries. For example, aircraft concerns now employing 300,000

would require 847,000 in 1942. A total of 784 armament plants costing 2,138,OOO.OOOdoI would be completed this summer. EQUIPMENT FOR POLES NEW YORK, April 16. In New York General Sikorski announced that equipment had been promised under the Lend •and Lease Act for a Polish force which will be recruited and trained in Canada to serve with the British troops overseas. FOREIGN MERCHANT SHIPS WASHINGTON, April 16. (Received April 17, at 8 a.in.) Legislation authorising the President during the present emergency to purchase or requisition foreign merchant vessels lying idle in American waters was introduced by Senator George. President Roosevelt has placed Mr Harry Hopkins in full command of the lend and lease programme.