What are Roosevelts Intentions? People Behind Rearmament

Northern Advocate, 3 January 1939, Page 5

What are Roosevelts Intentions? People Behind Rearmament

(Received 10 a.m.) WASHINGTON, January 1. EXTRAORDINARY INTEREST AND IMPORTANCE ARE ATTACHED TO THE OPENING OF CONGRESS ON JANUARY 3, PARTICULARLY AS PROBABLY THE OUTSTANDING QUESTION TO BE DELIBERATED WILL BE THE REARMAMENT PROGRAMME.

The American public is overwhelmingly in its favour, and the only differences of opinion are concerning its extent artd the method of financing it.

> v The American Institute of Public Opinion’s December survey shows 80 per cent, in favour of a large navy, 82 per cent, in favour of a larger army, and 80 per cent, favouring a larger air force.

*!s : This is an increase of 20 per cent, on the 1935 survey, and is largely due ‘ to the belief that the Munich agreement has merely heightened the chances ■ of war.

t> An Intriguing Question A concrete statement by President Roosevelt on defence policy is anxiously awaited. Glimpses of the plans so far given are confusing, and reports such as that there is to be a “front line” strength of 13,000 aeroplanes and a reserve of 20,000 pilots, have caused alarm, particularly among isolationists, who ask whether Mr. Roosevelt is planning active co-operation' with Britain and France. $ Mr. Roosevelt is expected to reveal his strategy in a message to Congress on January 4. Financing Methods The next query .is as to the method of financing the programme. Mr. Roosevelt has indicated that he plans to raise the' money by taxation, but here he will possibly encounter difficulties with the Republicans, who will need assurance that the huge armaments are justified. They may also dispute the precise nature of the taxation. The chief domestic task is a comprehensive revision of certain of the New Deal laws, making them more workable and less controversial, and the Government’s reorganisation measure, which whs soundly defeated on April 8 last. Mr. Roosevelt recently announced that he would reintroduce this. Another controversial matter is the question of further appropriation for the Works Progress Administration, the funds of which will be exhausted by February.

An attempt will be made to pass a resolution opposing a third term for the President.

Asserting that the" American people believe war inevi|pble. Senator D. I. Walsh, chairman of the Naval Affairs Committee, last night urged that the United States Navy should be built beyond treaty strength if that was necessary to make it unbeatable. He outlined a five-point defence plan covering the enlargement of the navy, army and air force, and the strengthening of the coastal defences and the mobilisation of industry. President's Influence Undiminished Little new legislation is anticipated. With an increased number of Republicans and Conservative Democrats to consider, Mr. RAosevelt muist tread warily. It is stated that there will be no “must” legislation, the President making “affirmative suggestiohs” in his message, particularly on defence, and leaving the bill drafting and resolution to the legislative branch.

Congress will be largely left to its own devices, but Mr. Roosevelt will, it is believed, continue to provide coherence and direction. It is important to note that at least in foreign affairs there is no sign that his personal influence has diminished. The contrary is the case. Since the Munich agreement, only “diehard” isolationists have raised their voices against him. The State Department’s sole comment on Berlin reports that there, is little hope of improved relations between the United States and Germany is that nothing new has occurred. The department’s attitude is that any move must come from Germany. Some authorities believe that the present lull in German attacks may precede positive action by the Nazis for bettering relations.