SWIFT ORDERS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 116, 17 April 1939, Page 7

SWIFT ORDERS

UNITED STATES FLEET.

RETURN TO PACIFIC,

SIGNIFICANT MOVE

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) WASHINGTON, April 15.

The United States Fleet lias been ordered to return to tlie Pacific from the Atlantic as soon as it has fuelled. No explanation is given. The sudden transfer is believed to have the highest significance. It is reported to be the result, at least partly, of intelligence reports that any new military developments in Europe might be coupled with action by Japan in the East Indies area.

President Roosevelt personally approved tho order, which affects all but the Atlantic squadron reinforced by five cruisers, six submarines and an aircraft-carrier.

Several units sailed to-night and tho main battle fleet is lying in Hampton Roads. It is hastily refuelling and is expected to weigh anchor within 30 hours.

The Fleet has been engaged in manoeuvres in the Caribbean Sea and was due to visit New York for the World Fair after a review by Air Swanson (Secretary of the Navy) off Virginia Cepes on April 24. An official explanation of the sailing orders was refused by tho Navy Department. POSSIBLE REASONS.

Tho three possible purposes advanced are :

(1) Readiness for any eventuality in the Pacific in the event of war. (2) An effort to offset the position of the Berli n-Ronie-Tokio axis in the event of Air Roosevelt's peace move being unsuccess!ul. and at the same time partly allaying British and French fears regarding the l 1 ar East. (3) A gesture toward relieving the European tension. The Fleet’s dispatch to the Atlantic was regarded as a warning to Germany and Italy.

Naval subscribers to the second belief expressed the opinion that, with the British and French fleets concentrated in the Alediterranean, the Japanese would be likely to feel free in the Pacific, where they recently seized the strategic Spratley Islands. If Japan has designs upon the East Indies petroleum and rubber, as Washington is reported to have been advised, the United States would be directly affected owing to tho proximity of the Philippines.

Tt will bo recalled that in 1937 Air Anthony Eden (then Foreign Secrettrv) asked Air Norman Davis at, the Brussels Conference whether tho United .States Fleet would police the Pacific if Britain were occupied in a European war. AH Davis declined to make anv commitment. Other quarters consider the order was timed to accompany Air Boosevelt’s appeal to _ tlie dictators as a peaceful gesture, indicating that the United States has no hostile intentions. Tlie State Department’s spokesman specifically denied this interpretation, saying that the fleet is merely returning to its station.