U.S. Must Force a Showdown Now

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 109, 9 May 1941, Page 7

U.S. Must Force a Showdown Now

New York Press Urges Action Against Hitler MUST NOT % WAIT United Press Association—By Electrlo Telegraph—Copyright. NEW YORK, May 7. The New York Times, in an editorial on the speech made yesterday by the Secretary for War, Mr Stimson, says: “The only real question is whether we shall choose to fight under our own terms and conditions or under terms and conditions set by Hitler. Let us not wait. Let us do so while there is still time to keep Britain in the war. Let us have a showdown with Hitler while it is still possible to have it at our own tremendous advantage." The New York Times adds: “The United States cannot afford to make the mistake that other democracies have made over and over again—the mistake of too little and too late. The decision we are called upon to make is one of the gravest in our history. The question which confronts us is not whether or not Americans want war, for if Britain is defeated we are going to get war whether we want it or not.” The New York Herald-Tribune says: “The next two or three weeks are likely to be the most critical in the history of the United States. We have reached the end of our dependence upon the British to save us, and have reached the end of guns and tanks being consigned to the bottom of the Atlantic,” Mr Stimson’s speech created a considerable flurry in the capital to-day. At a Press conference, the Secretary of the Navy, Colonel Knox, was asked to comment on Mr Stimson’s plea for immediate naval action. Colonel Knox replied: “It was a forthright, courageous and enlightening talk animated by a high spirit of patriotism.” “Answering: a question whether the navy was ready to do the job of convoying war supplies to Britain, Colonel Knox said: “The •navy is always ready. It is readier now than ever.” Meanwhile, Senator Vandenberg endeavoured to prove that convoys were unnecessary by announcing that Admiral Emory Land, chairman of the Maritime Commission, had informed him by letter that only eight out of 205 American war-supply ships were sunk in *he first three months of 1941. “Up to You,’’ Says Menzies On arival at the New York airport by Clipper from Lisbon yesterday, the Australian Prime Minister, Mr. R. G. Menzies, told the press: “I am convinced that Britain cannot lose the war, though the speed of her victory depends on the UnitiKi States.

“As Prime Minister of Australia, I want to say quite frankly to the United States—it is up to you. “You are not being asked to make a donation to a deserving charity; you are being asked to defend your own way of life. But you can do more than produce the materials of war; you can see that they arrive where they will do the most good.’’

More than 100 German seamen stranded in New York since the start of the war were rounded up in their hotels by Federal agents and police early this morning on charges of overstaying their leave in the United States. Officials declined to comment, but it ia understood that the Germans will be interned. They are mostly former members of the crews of Standard Oil tankers, and have been maintained ashore at the company’s expense since the outbreak of war.

The House passed and sent to the Senate legislation empowering President Roosevelt to take over upward of 100 foreign merchant ships.

The Naval Affairs Committee to-day authorised the construction of 11 major bases for naval lighter-than-air craft, as well as an undisclosed number of auxiliary facilities. Tho cost will total 58-million dollars.

Less Talk and More Action NO REASON FOR DESPAIR, SAYS WIIiLKIE Received Thursday, 9.30 p.m. NEW YORK, May 7. Mr. Wendell L. Willkie, addressing a freedom rally at Madison Square Gardens, said: “I care not whether you call safe delivery convoying, patrolling, aeroplane accompaniment or what not. We want those cargoes protected at cnce with less talk and more action. There is no reason for despair. 4 ' The British still control the seas and can draw cn the world’s resources. Furnish Britain with the ships she needs until it hurts. Give her destroyers and see those ships deliver their cargoes safely to British ports.” Mr. Willkie telegraphed President Roosevelt urging him as leader of a free people to execute their will and provide the machines and materials so sorely needed for the defence of freedom. Colonel Kncx (Navy Secretary), in a speech at the booksellers’ banquet, said: “All America’s resources are committed to the supreme purpose of ensuring that British sea power is not destroyed. We are living in fearful danger. Our only safetly is to supplement Britain’s forces because non-maintenance of the bridge of ships to Britain would mean that we would eventually face the immeasurably superior combination of the Italian, German and French navies and also guard against Japan in the Pacific.” Colonel Knox added: “The oceans are not bulwarks but avenues of attack. ’ ’ Commentators point out that this is the first official reference to the possibility of Germany using the French Navy. The immigration authorities are forestalling the possibility of Fifth Column activity in the event of a crisis arrested German propagandists and the heads of the Trans-ocean News Service, Manfred Zaap and Guenther Tonn. Defence officials are planning to store at least six months’ reserve supply of food at all the nation’s strategic outposts, such as Hawaii and the Philippines, as a protection against a possible blockade.