NAVAL MANOEUVRES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23057, 7 June 1938, Page 12

NAVAL MANOEUVRES

THE AMERICAN FLEET EXERCISES IN ATLANTIC SIGNIFICANT CHANGE OF VENUE WASHINGTON, May 30 For the first time since 1934 the United States fleet will hold manoeuvres olf the Atlantic coast in 1939, instead of off the Pacific coast. The United Press says that- this emphasises the moving of the world's centre of trouble to Europe. There are three problems to bo solved:— The question of tactics for the defence of the Atlantic Coast by meeting any enemy far at sea, similar defence problems in the Pacific having already been , worked out; the possible establishment of a new and greater base in the Caribbean area; the determination of the United States to meet any aggression against North' America or South America which violates the Monroe Doctrine. The manoeuvres in 1039 will last six or seven weeks, and will involve 120 warships and 75,000 men. Military and naval experts, it is stated, have long believed that any European encroachment on South America would come from a West African base. It is reported in this connection that an attempt will be made at the eighth Pan American Conference, meeting at Lima (Peru) in December, to arrange a treaty which will grant warships of all American nations a right-of-way to all harbours in the western hemisphere in tho event of an emergency.