“SPY” PICTURES

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 April 1938, Page 3

“SPY” PICTURES

U.S.A. MISGIVINGS. A member of the House Military Committee says that President Roosevelt wants to tighten up restrictions against the photographing of this country’s- fortifications, says a Washington fhessage to the “New York Times.” Representative May (Demochat), of Kentucky, said that, the Chief Executive had written the committee durI ing his recent trip in southern waters urging legislation to prohibit the making of unauthorised photographs, sketches, or maps of “vital military and naval defensive installations and equipment.” Things going on on the Pacific Coast made the legislation necessary," Mr. May said. He did not amplify the statement, and asserted that the President's communication was “not available.” In response to the letter, however, the committee reported a. Bill, already approved by the Senate, which had been in its files since February, 1937. The House Committee report said: — “The committee is of the opinion that this measure is necessary to prevent important facts regarding our national defence installations from falling into the hands of persons who, through ignorance of their significance or hostile intent, would permit, them to bo used to the detriment, of the United States.” Secretaries Woorcting and Swanson, of tho War and Navy Department respectively, recommended the legislation. In a joint letter they said that it would “permit more effective, control of the activities of freelance motion picture and still-picture operators in vital military and naval installations.” They said that prohibitory means of this nature have become necessary in the interests of national defence. Another House member, Reprcsenta-I five Thomas (Republican), of New Jersey), said that “agents of the Japanese Government are now engaged in a long-range study of the Panama Canal, photographing strategic points and charting naval and military defences operated by the United States. ’ Mr. Thomas predicted his statement on information which he said he acquired during a recent trip to the canal zone. He added that he was informed that Japanese boats operating in waters near the canal “are maintained by the Japanese Government to spy on our defences and to locate suitable landing places on the Pacific, side of Central America.”