SUDDEN TRANSFER TO PACIFIC

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 17 April 1939, Page 7

SUDDEN TRANSFER TO PACIFIC

MOVE OF HIGHEST SIGNIFICANTS OFFICIAL EXPLANATION REFUSED WASHINGTON. 15th April. The United States fleet Has been ordered to return to the Parifle from the Atlantic ju> soon as it haa 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 the order, which affects all but the Atlantic squadron reinforced by five cruisers, six submarines, and an aircraft-carrier. Several units sailed to-night and thu main battle fleet is lying in Hampton? Roads. It is hastily refuelling and is expert* ed to weigh anchor within 36 hours. The fleet has been engaged iil manoeuvres in the Caribbean Sea andwas due to visit New York for the! World Fair after a review by Mr Swanson, Secretary of the Navy, off Virginia Capes on 24th April. An official explanation of the abrupt sailing orders was refused by the Navy Department. THE POSSIBLE REASON The 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 Berlin-Rome-Tokio axis in the event of Mr Roosevelt's peace n-ove bein' unsuccessful, and at the same time partly allaying British and French fears regarding the Far East: (3) a gesture towards relieving the European tension. The fleet’s dispatch to 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 Mediterranean, 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 the proximity of the Philippines.

It will b'? recalled that in 1937 Mr Anthony Eden, then Foreign Secretary, askec' Mr Norman Davis at the Brussels Conference whether the Urited States fleet would police the Pacific if Britain w-ere occupied in

a European war. Mr Davis declined to make any commitment.

Other quarters consider the order was timed to accompany Mr Roosevelt’s appeal to the dictators as a peaceful gesture, indicating that the United States has no hostile intentions. The State Department's spokesman specifically denied this interpretation, saying that the fleet is merely returning to its station.