AMERICAN ANGER

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24102, 22 October 1941, Page 7

AMERICAN ANGER

NAVAL CASUALTIES "MUST FACE ISSUES" ISOLATIONISTS WEAKENED NEW YORK, Oct. 20 The United States Navy report of the casualties caused by the U-boat attack on the destroyer Kearny has caused a blaze of indignation against Germany in official circles, says the Washington correspondent of the New York Sun. To damage American warships is one thing, to kill American seamen is something else. The incident has already weakened the isolationist forces in Congress. The Secretary of State. Mr. Cordell Hull, when asked whether the United States would protest to Germany about the attack on the Kearny, said: "The United States does not often send diplomatic Notes to international highwaymen."

The Minister of the. Interior, Mr. Harold Ickes, said: "The time has arrived for a final decision and Amei> icans must face the issue."

Some Americans are urging the declaration of war on Germany, but this course is not expected in London. Three Republican Senators, Messrs. Bridges, Austin and Gurney, have introduced a bill to repeal the entire Neutrality Act. "The United States has 33 divisions under arms," says the military correspondent of the New York Times, Major Hanson Baldwin. "Only 42 divisions were sent to France in the last war. There is no cause for fear about America's armed might. "Our Atlantic strength has been greatly increased. The Panama Canal has the largest garrison in history and its defences have been modernised. In the Pacific our position in many ways is immeasurably stronger than a year ago. Our Pacific naval strength is weaker because of the transfer of units to the Atlantic, but auxiliary vessels have greatly increased. The Pacifio Fleet is now on a complete war foot- * ing." GERMANS WARNED ARMS FROM AMERICA LONDON, Oct, 20 A Swiss report says the German newspaper Frankfurter Zeitung issues a warning against illusions about the capacity of British and American war industries. The paper says: "Many American-manufactured aeroplanes will fly over Germany, and many American bombs will fall on our towns. The population will have to spend many nights in cellars, but must endure willingly for Germany's final conquest of Europe." GROWING EXPORTS SOUTH AFRICA'S TRADE MANY MARKETS EXPLOITED (Reed. 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 20 South Africa is securing much of the trade which Europe enjoyed before the war and new and unexpected inquiries for South African manufactured goods have recently been arriving from many quarters of the world that are fre® from the blockade. The Netherlands East Indies has imported ladies' dresses from the Union. From Penang have come inquiries for shoemakin# materials, and Singapore i wants hats, glassware and groceries. Madras is asking for hardware, Trinidad for shoes, Canada for food products and New York for asbestos and fancy feathers. Cairo is on the look-out for fish liver oil for medical purposes and is finding it in Capetown, where a new industry is thriving. The Gold Coast and Nigeria are also among South Africa's wartime cus- ' tomers for a variety of goods. PERSIAN CAPITAL ALLIED TROOPS LEAVE. FRONTIER GARRISON PLANS LONDON, Oct. 20 News of the withdrawal of the British and Russian troops from Teheran, which reached London yesterday, has been expected for some time, states the British official wireless. Mr. Churchill's statement in the House of Commons on September 30, that he hoped the present "new loyal alliance made by Britain and Russia with the ancient Persian State and people," was generally regarded as forecasting, among other things, the withdrawal of troops from the Iranian capital, the object of their advance—the destruction of the Axis influence and the institution of a Government more in keeping with the desires and interests of the Persian people—having been obtained.

It is understood that the British troops will take a position in southwestern Iran, while the Russians will be stationed in the region of the SovietIranian frontier. These moves, of course, have been agreed to in consultation with the Iranian Government and the arrangement has given general satisfaction. BAN ON COPPER NEW YORK, Oct. 21 The Office of Production Management has banned the use of copper in industries other than those engaged on defence contracts. This announcement is described as the "toughest priority order yet." ■