AMERICA’S AIM

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24632, 13 June 1941, Page 5

AMERICA’S AIM

DEFEAT OF AGGRESSORS PRESIDENT’S PLEDGE SHIPS AVAILABLE TO BRITAIN (Rec. 7 p.m.) LONDON, June 12. The reassuring news that cargo steamers and oil tankers to a total of 2,000,000 tons, are being made available’ to Britain, was contained in a message delivered by President Roosevelt to Congress on the subject of aid to Britain and other democracies. Other items of principal interest were:— The sum of 550.000,000 dollars is being devoted 'to the building of new shipS. Allied merchant and naval ships are being repaired at United States shipyards. Millions of pounds of food are being sent to Britain. . • Increasing quantities of iron, sieel, and war material are being sent each day. To date this year the United States has sent to Britain 12 times the number of planes and aircraft engines that were sent for the same period last year. Ensuring Delivery of Munitions The President said that over 4.000. dollars had been allocated out of the 7,000,000,000 dollars provided. “We will not only help to overpower the Axis with war munitions, but we will see to it that the munitions are, delivered where they will be most effective to weaken and defeat the aggressors. In implementing this pledge immediately I am making available to Britain 2,000,000 gross tons of cargo ships and oil tankers, but this is not enough, and adequate shipping must be assured. Over 75.000. dollars worth of munitions has already been transferred, but this is only a trickle of what will become a torrent. British and Allied warships are being repaired by us and many ships have been equipped with mine protection and armed against raiders. We have supplied and will supply planes, guns, ammunition and other defence articles in ever-increasing quantities to Britain, China and other democracies.”

SUPPLIES FOR MIDDLE EAST ARRIVING AT RED SEA PORT WASHINGTON, (Rec. 11.30 p.m'.) June 12. White House announced that United States war supplies for the British forces in the Middle East will arrive shortly at a Red Sea port. Mr Averill Hardman, the President’s special representative in London, is proceeding from London to supervise deliveries. Twenty-six ships comprise early future arrivals. The New York Herald-Tribune states that 10 ships requisitioned by the United States Maritime Commission will be transferred to the Pan-Ameri-can registry, and sailed under charter 'to the United States lines. This move will enable substantial quantities of American materials to. reach ports in the United Kingdom without violating the neutrality law. The vessels, however, will carry foreign crews. It is reported that many foreign ships seized -by the United States will also be transferred to the Pan-Ameri-can flag, thus making them cargo carriers to England.

PRODUCTION OF PLANES THE FIGURES FOR MAY WASHINGTON, (Rec. 0.45 a.m.) June 11. The Office of Production Management announced that 1334 planes were produced in May. The Co-ordinator of Defence Production. Mr W. S. Knudsen, was told by 200 aircraft manufacturers that their production was 50 per cent, ahead of schedule and by next fall they will be producing all the aeroplanes wanted. The War Department has approved of projects costing 282,314,000 dollars for four new ammunition plants and the expansion of 10 others. Aluminium scrap and zinc are included in the full priority control. Civilian use of zinc will be rationed shortly. Because of an aluminium shortage the Allison Division of General Motors at Indianapolis, where liquid-cooled plane engines are being made, paid off 800 workers. Production is being resumed tomorrow in five aluminium plants at Cleveland. Subversive Elements Referring to the military control at the Inglewood plant, the Secretary of the Navy, Colonel Knox, said that what the Government had done there presents no challenge to collective bargaining or union activity, but does challenge those who use those things as a cloak to attack American freedom and liberty. From now on subversive and Communistic elements so acting will be proceeded against as enemies of the country.