AMERICA’S POSITION

Evening Star, Issue 23950, 30 July 1941, Page 8

AMERICA’S POSITION

THE WORLD CRISIS URGED TO MAKE IMMEDIATE DECISION WASHINGTON, July 29. The Secretary of the Navy (Colonel Knox), addressing the National Legion of Honour Convention, challenged the public to make a decision now on the course of the world crisis. “ To-day American people must be brave or there are not going to be any American people. If the time comes when Americans are not willing to fight to preserve the freedoms we inherited those freedoms will be destroyed and taken from us by a stronger breed of men.” Colonel Knox denounced as cowardice the creed of those who would disband a half-trained army and profess'to see no danger in the world crisis. .SENATOR'S ALLEGATIONS, Senator B. K. Wheeler, in the Senate, accused the Secretary of War, Mr H. L. Stimsou, of acting with cold, calculated cunning to create the impression that anti-war post cards had been circulated in army camps. He said the Administration’s condemnation was part of the programme to terrify American _ people into submitting to participation in a foreign war. Not one voice was raised in Mr Sthnson’s defence as senator after senator joined in the debate to defend Senator Wheeler’s patriotism and integrity. Even Senator A. W. Barkley praised Senator Wheeler as one of the ablest and most courageous senators. Senator Barkley announced that the extension of army service measures would be discussed in the Senate shortly. The Senate Military Committee reported that whereas determination by the Congress to declare a national emergency would require a considerable debate, in the meantime measures were necessary to prevent disintegration and provide for the proper maintenance of the army. Certain Restrictions which were appropriate in normal times must he removed.

[A previous message stated: “ I think this comes very near the line of subversive activities against the United States, if it is not treason,” said Mr Stinson, revealing that Senator Wheeler had mailed post cards to army officers and men urging them to oppose American entry into the European War.] THE "V" SIGN APPEARS IN HONOLULU HONOLULU, July 29. The police report that big “ V’s for victory ” were found painted on the walls of the Japanese Consulate and the former German Consulate. MR HUGHES'S OBJECTION SYDNEY, July 29. The Minister of the Navy, Mr W. M. Hughes, to-day expressed objection to the “V” campaign. He said the present was the time for action, not slogans. He emphasised that “V” stood not only for victory, but also stood for Vichy, which twice betrayed the democratic cause. It also fitted in with the German slogan. The community, he added; would be better employed by concentrating on the life and death struggle ahead instead of wasting time on slogans and jokes.

DEPTH CHARGES DROPPED

AMERICAN DESTROYER'S PRECAUTION INCIDENT OFF GREENLAND COAST (Rec. 12.35 p.m.) WASHINGTON. July 29. The Senate Naval Affairs Committee has published the Knox secret testimony at the inquiry into the shooting charges. The report confirmed Colonel Knox’s statement that the United States had not co-operated with the British Navy or armed forces beyond the terms of the Lend and Lease Act. It also confirmed that the Captain of a United States destroyer, while off the coast of Greenland rescuing 60 survivors from a torpedoed steamer, thought he heard a submerged submarine. He immediately dropped three depth charges. The committee said in doing this the captain very prudently exercised the right of selfpreservation, otherwise the destroyer might have been sunk. The committee expressed the opinion that further investigation need not be undertaken. [A message received on July 12 stated: The Secretray of the Navy, Colonel Knox, and Admiral Stark categorically denied that the American Navy had been engaged in combat with Nazi naval units. A Congressman informed the United Press of America that Colonel Knox told the Naval Committee that an American destroyer on Atlantic patrol dropped a depth charge some time ago merely as a_ warning to an approaching submarine. The patrol vessel was picking up survivors from a British ship when the submarine was heard through detectors. The vibrations ceased a few minutes after the charge had been dropped. The destroyer feared the submarine would release a torpedo. . Colonel Knox assured the committee that the depth charge was ineffective beyond 100 ft, and that the submarine was more distant than that.] BATTLE OF THE ATLANTIO CANADIAN NAVY TO PLAY BIGGER PART (Rec. 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, July 29. Discussions which may have farreaching effects on many aspects of the Battle of the Atlantic have been completed between the Admiralty and representatives of the Canadian Navy Department. It is understood that completed agreement on all points was reached. Canada plans a naval personnel of nearly 25,000 men before the end of the year, manning 250 ships of all kinds. As the result of the Canadian navy’s valuable work the convoying of equipment and personnel across the Atlantic will be made still more effective, while the part Canada will be able to play in the Pacific will be more significant.