NAVAL STRENGTH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23968, 19 May 1941, Page 7

NAVAL STRENGTH

AMERICA'S POLICY

MAINTENANCE IN FUTURE

DRIVE FOR 35,000 RECRUITS NEW YORK, May 17 The Secretary of the Navy, Colonel Knox, addressing a graduating class at the Naval College, Newport, to-day, said : "We intend to maintain the right of ever improving the lot of the common man, even although wc waste our substance on wars defending its mainten a nee. "Even when Germany is defeated there may be another Hitler 20 years hence if the world again relinquishes its policing power. The Avar of 1914-1918 was not a war to end war, and it is foolish to suppose that this one wiM bo any different. It is the responsibility of all of us to see that in the future our Navy is never allowed to decline." When in an interview Colonel Knox was asked if he would ensure the delivery of materials to Britain, his answer was a definite "Yes." To the question, "What would the method of insurance her'" lie replied, "Use your head. In the last war there was only one menace—the submarine. This time there are three —the submarine, the surface raider, and the aeroplane." President Roosevelt, at a press conference to-day, declared that freedom of the seas was the historic American policy. Germany's proclamation that the Rod Sea was a danger zone was a pointed reminder that twice previously the I* n i ted States used warships in undeclared wars to protect her commerce. The Navy Department has announced a six weeks' drive to recruit 3-5,000 men needed for the new warships which are being completed ahead of schedule. The age limit for reservists has been raised to 50.. The total of the navy personnel is at present 227.000. President Roosevelt has asked Congress to vote £18,750,000 for new Coastguard vessels and shore facilities. Coastguard vessels are now part of the United States Atlantic neutrality patrol. The new cutters will be designed for ice-breaking in Arctic seas. Mr. Roosevelt disclosed that a new civilian defence programme, so wide in scope that it may profoundly affect every man, woman and child in America, is almost ready. FRENCH SHIPS 13 VESSELS UNDER GUARD ROUND-UP OF FOREIGN SEAMEN ORrcd. 7.40 p.m.) NEW YORK, May 18 The 'number of French sliips in United States ports on which guards have been placed at present totals 13. lii maritime circles it is said the crews are mostly secret de Gaulleists and are delighted at the possibility that the vessels may be put into service against Germany. The crew of the Normandie welcomed the Coastguardmen and toasted President Roosevelt in champagne The United States Immigration Service announced that hundreds of Federal agents in at least nine cities are taking into custody an undetermined number of foreign seamen, mostly, it is believed, Italians or Germans. They are being charged with overstaying the 60 days allowed them in the United States. The cities are New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Miami, Seattle, Portland, Los Angeles and San Francisco. The action is described as a continuation of the round-up of May 7, when 150 Germans were taken into custody. AIRCRAFT SPEED-UP 1600 MACHINES LAST MONTH NEW YORK, May 17 It has been announced that 1600 aeroplanes were constructed in the United States last month. It is expected that a progressive increase will reach 1800 in July and 4300 by June, 1942. An American magazine, News, comments that now for the first time ■the democracies are building more combat aeroplanes than Hitler. FURTHER STRIKES GENERAL MOTORS PLANTS NEW YORK, May 17 A strike occurred at four General Motors plants yesterday, says a message from Flint (Michigan)'. The union president, Mr. Thomas, flew to Flint and will address a mass meeting in the hope of inducing the 34,000 men to return to work. General Motors announce that a strike has closed the Chevrolet Grey iron foundry at Saginaw, which is employing 4800 men. TROUBLE SPREADS AMERICAN COAL DISPUTES (Recti. 10.30 p.m.) NEW YORK, May 17 The president of the United Mine Workers, Mr. John L. Lewis, has instructed 100,000 hard-coal miners to cease work at midnight as the result of negotiators failing to draft a satisfactory contract >for wages and hours. Meanwhile, the negotiations involving 325,000 soft-coal miners have reached a similar deadlock, and a sloppage is threatened unless agreement is reached by May 21. BOMB DESIGNER'S INJURY LONDON, May 16 Air-Commodore Huskinson. designer of Britain's new powerful bombs, whose eyes were injured by a bomb blast in n' recent London raid, will recover his sight.