LEND AND LEASE AID

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 July 1941, Page 5

LEND AND LEASE AID

S. AMERICAN REPUBLICS AIRBASES AND MATERIALS (Rec. 11.45 a.m.) WASHINGTON, July 17. Lend-and-lease assistance is being given to South America to build air-bases, strengthen the armed forces, and construct coastal fortifications capable of repulsing any attacks, says the “Journal of Commerce.” Brazil will be the first to receive aid, and will be expected to cooperate in economic warfare against the Axis, by controlling exports and continuing to permit the United States to purchase her entire strategic materials. Almost a score of airfields are being built along the coast of Brazil by Pan-American Airways, so they may be easily converted to military use. As much as 100,000,000 dollars may go to Brazil. The agreement made this week, providing for the United States to purchase vital materials from Mexico, is likely to be followed soon by other agreements, settling the controversial oil dispute, land claims, and several border and water disputes. A general settlement will embrace the extension of military supplies to Mexico. General Marshall told the Senate Military Committee that the United States aimed to surround-the hemisphere with a ring of protection against a ruthless foreign Power. Interviewed bv the Associated Press, Senator Pepper said that the United States should send war materials to General Weygand, on the understanding that he usect them to prevent - ’a German occupation oi Dakar. —U.P.A. EXTENDED ARMY SERVICE (Rec. 1.35 July 17 While the War Department did not know the Axis next move, after the Russian campaign, it could envisage the future steps of great magnitude, said General Marshall, giving evidence before the Senate Military Committee. The Department, he said, could see Spain, Portugal, and Nortn Africa conquered very quickly. Each move would leave the Axis more ready for another move. Unless the United States made businesslike preparations, she might hnd herself in a tragic situation. The efficiency of the War Department and the military forces would be greatly improved Congress removed the prohibition on extended service for trainees. He’said it was absurd to say he was planning an Expeditionary Force. The office of Production Management announced that rifles and submachine guns were being produced a. the rate of fifteen hundred daily, compared with 931 in January, 1941 AIRCRAFT PRODUCTION. LONDON, July 17. An unconfirmed report from Washington states that combined English and American production of military aeroplanes last month passed, for the first time, the monthly German total. Three thousand aeroplanes was the figure mentioned. FIVE MILLION UNEMPLOYED. WASHINGTON, July 17. The Commissioner of the United States Work Projects Administration, Mr. Corrington Gill, said there were approximately 5,000,000 unemployed in the United States this year, in spite of the enormous defence production programme. The only possible lahour shortages would be in highly skilled occupations. NURSES RECRUITED (Rec. 9.25 a.m.) WASHINGTON, July 17. Defence officials said to-day that the Government is now training nurses for duty with the armed services in cantonments and industrial areas. A recruiting plan is being considered, in order to enlist young women who would assume non-medicai duties ,now performed by registered nurses, relieving them for more-vital work. —U.P.A. NAVY’S AERIAL PATROLS. (Rec. 1.35) WASHINGTON, July 17. Rear-Admiral Towers told the House of Representatives Naval Committee that United States Nayy planes are patrolling the Atlantic, Pacific, Philippine and Panama areas. He added that the patrols were not just practice work.