LAGGING BEHIND

Grey River Argus, 6 December 1938, Page 6

LAGGING BEHIND

U.S.A. Warning ABOUT ARMAMENT PROGRAMME. [Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] (Received December 5, 11.40 p.m.) WASHINGTON, December 5. The assistant United States Secretary for War, Mr Johnson, reveals in his annual report, that America is not only far behind in the number of her aircraft and in emergency productive capacity, but is lagging in technical development. “Once, our combat planes were the world’s best,” he says. “Our research and development programmes mustbe accelerated, if we are to regain our technical leadership.” Giving a warning that America’s present construction programme is inadequate, Mr Johnson comments: — “Americans must be awakened to a realisation of their weakness, and must be convinced that, if adequate protection is to be provided, they must pay for it.”