IN AMERICA

Hokitika Guardian, 16 September 1940, Page 5

IN AMERICA

CONSCRIPTION BILL

FINALLY PASSED*

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright). WASHINGTON, September 13. The Senate sent the Conscription Bill back to a conference, after the deadlock which lias ocourrecT" on tho revised industrial draft provision, thus further delaying the adoption of the provision. immediately after the Senate’s action, the conference of the two Houses’ representatives met and festered the original Smith provision to the Bill, thereby empowering the President unrestrictedly to take over any plants refusing defence contracts at “just rental.” WASHINGTON, September 14. The Senate approved a final draft of the Conscription Bill, and sent it to the House, which also approved it. u.s:a. defences SAN FRANCISCO, September 14. Submarine nets have been laid near the Golden Gate. HONOLULU, September 14. Colonel Knox, completing bis tour of Pacific defences, said: “The United Statso must revise its earlier concept that safety lies in insularity based on the great fortune that broad ocoh'ns stretch on both sides of ns. With the new weapons available to aggressor, when might alone rules the world, we know there will be no safety which does not provide safety and security of the entire Western world.”

NEW NAVAL POLICY

WASHINGTON, Sept. 14.

President Roosevelt has approved of a new and stronger naval policy drawn up by the Naval Board, based on prospective two-ocean fleets, the recent acquisition of new. naval outposts, and the strengthening of the naval air arm .The policy of developing two main bases'on each coast, one in Hawaii .will be continued while air bases will be developed in coastal areas and outlying islands to support naval operations. The Board states the major aims are,:—Firstly, organisation and maintenance of a, fleet for major operations in both oceans; secondly developmen of naval aviation fas an integral part of the fighting forces, indicating new stress;, thirdly, development and maintenance of shore- activities, including strategic bases for the support of mobile forces fourthly, locating shore activities in such geographical areas am] such construction and manner as To promote security from the air or other attack; fifthly, to foster civil industries useful ,in war-time; sixthly, to ' mako building superiority a major aim. It is stated the Asiatic Fleet and other detached forces will keep in readiness for incorporation with the main fleet.

NOW WORLD’S STRONGEST

HONOLULU, Sept. 14

Colonel Knox (Secretary to the Navy), after spending; five days at sea with the battle fleet, said: “The American sea forces are the most powerful and the most effective in the world.” He declared that, aftei his return to Washington, he would do all possible to make Pearl Harbotir the most impregnable bulwark of the American defences in the ’Pacific. He added that he believed that the American Army and air strength in the Islands needed urgent expansion. It is understood that new bombers arc being sent there. Colonel Knox will return to the IJnitcv] States on Monday by air.