Lake Wakatip Mail. QUEENSTOWN. THURSDAY SEPT. 18 1941 ATLANTIC CHALLENGE

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 4532, 18 September 1941, Page 2

Lake Wakatip Mail. QUEENSTOWN. THURSDAY SEPT. 18 1941 ATLANTIC CHALLENGE

PERHAPS the most significant feature of the war news of the last week was the announcement of President Roosevelt of America’s intention to afford the convoy of its navy to peaceful vessels of all nations proceeding upon their proper occasions in water which the United Staes regard as within their defence zone. The possibility of naval conflict between United States vessels and German submarines or surface raiders has been present since July of this year. Prior to that, under the terms of the Neutrality Act, with its restrictions on American shipping movements, the United States had temporarily shelved its traditional doctrine of freedom of the seas. Put when in the spring of this year, the supply line between America’s factories and democracy’s battle line was endangered, President Roosevelt anounced the inauguration of an extensive naval patrol of the Western Atlantic with the declared object of warning British shipping of the movements of enemy vessels. Then followed the American occupation of Iceland, with the openly expressed determination of the United States to keep open a scalane to this half-way house in the Atlantic. In this way the United States contributed substantially to a reduction in British shipping losses. American warships have, in effect, been engaged on reconnaissance duties

for Britain. The fact that Hitler did not regard that as an act of war seemed to be proof that the Nazis were fearful of the United States as a potential belligerent. Since then American ships have been attacked, one being a destroyer on its way to. Iceland, and the latter vessel replied to the attack. What the President describes as acts of piracy have been committed against American ships engaged on their lawful occasions, and he has given a grave warning to Germany. As on previous occasions, he has told the American people of the danger that exists to their freedom and independence. In 1914, as now, Germany aimed at world domination, and a gradual realisation of that tremendous danger, more than any one isolated incident, convinced the United States that she could not stand aside. The same factors demanding active American intervention are present today and are the more insistent because the interests of all democracy are threatened. How much that intervention can mean has shown by the partial measures already taken by the United States Navy in the Battle of the Atlantic. Now the President has led his country farther along a path that will help the Allies to victory. His statement: “From now on if German oi' Italian vessels of war enter waters, the protection of which is necessary for American defence, they will do so at their own peril,’’ should assist materially in wining the Atlantic fight against the Axis. The United States is definitely nearer open war. President Roosevelt’s order to Ins Navy means that four-fifths of the Atlantic is closed to Axis operations except at the direct risk of being shot at by American warships or planes.