AMERICAN SHIPS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23954, 2 May 1941, Page 7

AMERICAN SHIPS

VAST POOL FOR BRITAIN AIRCRAFT PRODUCTION AXIS RATE EXCEEDED (Reed. 7.10 p.m.) WASHINGTON, April 30 President Roosevelt has ordered the immediate pooling of 2,000,000 tons of merchant shipping to accomplish the objective of all-out aid to the democracies. From this pool Britain will be able to draw to replace tonnage. Rear-Admiral E. S. Land, chairman of the Maritime Commission, disclosed that President Roosevelt has requisitioned foreign ships to bo used anywhere and at any time in connection with defence. Colonel W. F. Knox, Secretary to the Navy, stated that the navy expected to huikl substantial numbers of high-speed mosquito boats for Britain, but ho stressed that larger warships would not be available for transfer. Seventy-ton Aerial Dreadnoughts The spokesman for the American aircraft industry reported to the United States Chamber of Commerce that, according to the best obtainable estimates, half the United States aeroplane production, plus Britain's output, now exceeded the total aircraft production of the Axis Powers. The total production of the United State's this year would be 18,000 machines and next vear 30.000.

The War Department has awarded a 43,000,000-dollar contract for aeroplanes and parts to the Douglas Aircraft Company. This is believed to presage the development of a fleet of 70-ton aerial dreadnoughts, approximately twice the size of the army's present biggest bombers. People's Financial Aid Sought In a speech at the opening of the defence bonds savings stamps campaign Mr. Roosevelt declared: "We are engaged in an all-out effort to perpetuate American democracy by aiding embattled democracy in the Old World. We need new and stronger defences as a result of revolutionary changes in military science. "Lands safe in 1931 by virtue of mere distance from possible aggressors are now overrun by mechanical conquerors. Distance no longer guarantees safety. We are therefore multiplying production and so I frankly appeal for the financial support of the people to share in the cost .of defence. We must fight the threat wherever it appears —it can now be found at the threshold of every American home." Mr. Roosevelt said the United States aimed at borrowing one-third of its expenditure in the coming fiscal year. The total outlay was estimated at 19,000.000.000 dollars. The President has asked Congress to extend until June 30, 1943, his power to fix the value of the dollar, which expires on June 30, 1941.

PREPAREDNESS URGED HOME GUARD IN NEW YORI^ (Recti. 0.'20 p.m.) NEW YORK, April 30 The Mayor of Now York, Mr. F. H. La Guardia, urging the training of city home guards similar to Britain's A.R.P. workers, declared: "I do not say we may get repeated and sustained air attacks, like those on London, hut it is our duty to be prepared for the worst." AMERICAN PILOTS OBSERVERS IN BRITAIN WASHINGTON, .April 30 The United States Army is sending considerable numbers of young pilots to Britain to observe the methods and equipment- used in modern aerial combat. SOUTHERN MINES TEMPORARY AGREEMENT NFAV YOUK, April 30 The United Mine Workers and southern soft coal operators have announced a temporary agreement for reopening the southern mines. It had earlier been announced that although the northern mines would reopen to-day, the southern mines would not do so. WARNING TO AMERICA BERLIN, April 30 Officials in Berlin declared: "It is all the same to us whether Roosevelt recognises our blockade zone around Britain or not. Whoever enters it will I be torpedoed, regardless of flag." AIR TRAINING CORPS (Rpfcl. 0.5 p.m.) LONDON, April 30 Membership of the Air Training Corps already totals nearly 200,000, with nearly 1500 local and school units j throughout Britain, says a British official wireless message. Among heavilyraided cities, where the response to the call for recruits lias been particularly prompt, the Bristol and Bath area has five squadrons and Plymouth five.