HIGH SPEED

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 141, 16 May 1941, Page 5

HIGH SPEED

SHIPS FOR BRITAIN

WORK AHEAD OF SCHEDULE (United Press Association—Copyright.) (Noon) WASHINGTON, May 15.

The Maritime Commission stated that the construction of 200 "ugly duckling'' ships for Britain began two weeks ahead of schedule. Economists in Washington are 'studying preliminary plans under I which the world's largest agricultural 'nations, the United States, Argentina, '■ : Canada and Australia will establish j | the potential nucleus of an interna-! [tional farm bloc to wage economic warfare against the Axis. The plan was originated during the visit of the Argentine Foreign Minister (Senor Ruiz Guinnzu), who is now conferring with high officials. SENATOR'S TALK OF PEACE. Senator Wheeler called on President Koosevelc to propose a negotiated peace.

HEAVY BOMBERS WANTED

TO COMBAT U-BOATS. " BRITAIN'S GREATEST NEED. ! ri r NEW YORK, .May 15. The Times "Washington correspondi ent says the Uiider-&ecretary ior tiie Navy (Mr Forrestal) has returned | from Britain and reported the results of his to President Roosevelt. It is reliably learned that iiie said Britain's greatest need was , heavy bombers to combat the U-boats i and thereby rendering American coni voys unnecessary. She also needs ships ; and tanks, indicating that an invasion j ! is still feared. j Mr Forrestal added that British j | morale waa so high that an attempt to; j negotiate peace would, precipitate a ! revolution. Furthermore, public con- 1 iidence in Mr Churchill is at its highest. The R.A.F. have greatly improved j the night defences and hope to overcome the night raid menace by bringing down ten per cent, of the raider*. The New York Times say 6 Administration circles believe that 200 heavy bombers would ]>ermit Britain to smash the U-boats and it is likely that ; such numbers can be supplied from America beiore the end of the summer.

MORE DEFENCE WORKERS.

TRAINING IN U.S. WASHINGTON. May 15. President Roosevelt has asked Congress to increase the Labour Department and Security Agency appropriations by 159.000.000 dollars lor the training of 3.000.000 additional skilled defence workers. Twenty-one long-range Flying Fortresses to-day made a mass flight from San Francisco to Hawaii. These planes will patrol the Pacific within a radius of 1000 miles from Pearl Harbour, which is described as America's Gib raltar and is now prepared for any! possible attack.