U.S.A. AND CANADA

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 August 1940, Page 7

U.S.A. AND CANADA

DEFENCE BOARD APPROVED EARLY APPOINTMENTS [BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN.—COPYRIGHT..] 'WASHINGTON, August 18. The .establishment of the joint American-Canadian Defence Board is hailed by all groups as an effective means of promoting the Western Hemisphere’s defences. Even the isolationist and anti-ad-ministration legislators have praised the proposal. These include Messrs. Holt, Van Nuys and George. LATER. Mr Roosevelt, to-day, telephoned to the heads of the State War and Navy Departments, in Washington, urging immediate action in establishing the United States — Canada Defence Board. A White House statement says that Mr Roosevelt hopes the American members of the Board can be named by Thursday, to enable the first meeting with the Canadians early next week. CANADIAN ESTIMATE (Recd. Aug. 20, 11.25 a.m.). HALIFAX, (Nova Scotia), Aug. 19. The Defence Minister (Mr. Power) said that the establishment of the United States-Canadian Defence Board was one of the war’s mostimportant developments, which would be of mutual benefit. The Naval Affairs Minister, Mr. MacDonald, told the Press that it will be generally assumed the new military alliance will result in the delivery to Canada of several United States destroyers, now in disuse.

BRITISH PRESS WELCOME.

RUGBY, August 19

The agreement to set up a permanent .joint board on defence, by the United States and Canada, is warmly welcomed in the Press here. “The Times” regards the decision as of farreaching importance. It notes that this is not an isolated move. It links up with other plans of common concern to the United States, and to all the peoples of the Empire. Further south, a vital part will be played by the Panama Canal, and it is not surprising that the United States is anxious. to establish naval and air bases in convenient positions, to protect the Canal against hostile interference. It has been suggested that the American Government might have the use of areas suitable foi' this purpose in the British West Indies. Britain, and indeed the whole Empire, are deeply interested in seeing that the Canal is kept open, under American protection, to international trade, and the suggestion, therefore, has been received sympathetically in this country. LABOUR AND BRITAIN. BUFFALO; August 19. Mr William Green is urging full American support for Britain, short of war. He declared: “We will never favour sending our sons to Europe’s but we can do many things‘without war. I urge that we go ..the limit, whatever that may be, in giving support to those who are ‘F fighting so heroically to save Democracy.” DEFENCE EXPENDITURE. WASHINGTON, August 19. The Senate’Appropriations Committee unanimously approved the five thousand million dollar supplementary national defence bill, providing for the construction of a two-ocean navy, and equipment for a mechanised army. The bill has already been approved by the House. SHIPS FOR CHILDREN. WASHINGTON, August 19. The Senate approved the Bill amending the Neutrality Order ■to permit American ships to enter the war zone and evacuate children under sixteen. The Bill now goes to the House for concurrence in a few minor amendments.

GERMAN AGENT.

(Recd. August 20, 9 a.m.) BALBOA, August 19

Emil Wolff, a German chemist, pleaded guilty to acting as a foreign agent, without registration. He was fined 2000 dollars. A three months’ imprisonment sentence was suspended. Wolff was removed from the Yasukuni Maru on July 2, and arrested on a narcotics charge. He admitted that he sailed from San Francisco with a trunk containing diplomatic documents from the German Consul in San Francisco, to the Consul in Valparaiso.

CONSUL TRANSFERRED.

(Received August 20, 12.45 p.m.) WASHINGTON, August 19.

Mr. Welles announces that Germany is transferring Dr. Freidrich Reed, one of its Consuls, from New York, because of the State Department’s investigations of Dr. Reed’s activities.

Dr. Reed recently came to the United States from Brazil, where his activities were objectionable -to the authorities. It is understood that he is becoming Consul-General at Kobe.