ACTIVITIES IN SERVICES

Southland Times, Issue 24154, 17 June 1940, Page 5

ACTIVITIES IN SERVICES

Measure Against “Fifth Column”

ATTACHE’S RECALL

REQUESTED (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received June 16, 7.30 p.m.) WASHINGTON, June 16. The Senate passed a measure aimed at “fifth column” activities in the army and navy. A maximum of 10 years’ imprisonment is provided for the advocacy of insubordination, disloyalty or mutiny. It also voted in favour of a fingerprint register of aliens. The German Press Attache in Mexico, Dr Dietrich, has been officially termed persona non grata, and his recall has been requested. Mr W. L. Mackenzie King, Prime Minister of Canada, in the House of Commons in Ottawa said: “I believe that I can say to the French Premier, M. Paul Reynaud, that the resources of the whole American continent will be thrown on the side of the Allies. Canada pledges France unwavering support to the utmost limits of her power and resources.” He added that France had been informed of this. The Jewish Agency has issued from Jerusalem a statement fully supporting the Allies and offering man power and material. It specially appeals to Jews in America, saying: “Palestine Jewry expects you to give all possible help in the struggle in which the Jewish future is at stake.” On the instructions of the President of the Republic, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs for Venezuela Has sent to all Venezuelan Embassies and Legations accredited to the nations of America the following cable: “In this moment when people are fleeing from

cities ruined by war and are suffering untold misery it is America’s inescapable duty to lend its help. This humanitarian object can be achieved by co-ordinating the Red Cross services of the various nations into one organization to render immediate help to the children, women and men who are the victims of war. Please consult the Government to which you are accredited to see if they would be prepared to support any action taken with this purpose.” Favourable replies from many of the Governments consulted have already been received. United States shippers are conferring in Washington with officials on the possibility of overcoming the neutrality restrictions to enable the use of American ships to supply the Allies. The British and French Purchasing Mission in America announced that the Government had released to the Allies new supplies of powder and ordnance material. It added that, while the quantities were comparatively small, they were “very acceptable indeed.” A. representative of the mission said that the Allies could use 5000 aeroplane engines immediately, but were unable to obtain them, although an ample supply of frames was available. The United States Secretary for War, Mr Harry H. Woodring, announced plans to train 10,600 airmen annually, including 7000 pilots. DUTCH INDIES AID ALLIES (Received June 16, 6.30 p.m.) BATAVIA, June 15. Parliament has conferred wide powers on the Governor-General, Jonkharvan Stachouwar, for the preservation of the integrity of the Netherlands East Indies. Jonkharvan Stachouwar said that they were doing their utmost to aid the Allies, without infringing the interests of America or Japan. Holland’s capitulation had resulted in a reduction of Dutch East Indies exports by 25 per cent., which was expected to be counterbalanced by an increased demand from the Allies, American and Japan.