NAZI THREAT TO SINK SHIPS

Southland Times, Issue 24423, 1 May 1941, Page 7

NAZI THREAT TO SINK SHIPS

The statement by Admiral Stark that the American Navy is already patrolling half-way across the Atlantic and is operating 2000 miles from its bases has'attracted much comment abroad.

The organ of the Soviet Navy, The Red Fleet, says that this expansion of United States activity is already affecting the Battle of the Atlantic. It adds that the American action will so reduce the responsibilities of the British Navy that British units will be able to operate with increasing effectiveness in other theatres of war.

The Berlin newspaper Deutsche Allegmeinc Zeitung says that the result of the American action will be the swift and speedy sinking of American ships.

The United States Coast Guard Magazine reports unofficially that a further transfer of armed American vessels to Britain may be expected. It says that 40 small cutters which the Wheeler shipyard in New York is at present building for the Coast Guard service may be sent to Britain.

MRS ROOSEVELT PROTECTED Mrs Roosevelt was given a protective escort of Secret Service men for a lecture at the Philharmonic Auditorium last evening after an anonymous letter’ had been received stating that it would be picketed for peace. There was no disturbance. Asked, “Do you think the President will keep his promise and keep us out of war?” Mrs Roosevelt replied: “He has not made any such promise. He has said he wants peace. If it is possible to stay at peace he will do so, but the ultimate decision rests with the people.”

To another’ who said: “Tell the President we will not give our lives in any place except in America,” she declared: “Any American who will not fight in any place his country asks

him to fight is not an American.” The American magazine Fortune reported today that American business executives overwhelmingly approve Mr Roosevelt’s foreign policy and Mr Wendell L. Willkie’s endorsement of it and disapprove the opposition voiced by Colonel Charles Lindbergh and Senator Burton K, Wheeler, the isolationist Democrat.

The Fortune poll of executive opinion, which included almost all the top men in business management, showed that 84 per cent, believed that a German victory should be prevented almost at any cost and 90 per cent, felt that the armament programme must be pressed vigorously forward. Almost half of those who polled favour the development of the defence programme at the expense of business as usual, and 55 per cent, disapproved the stand of Colonel Lindbergh and Senator Wheeler.

PACIFIST ATTITUDE ABANDONED Abandoning the pacifist attitude they have held since 1918 a group of notable American liberals has issued a call to war and has formed a committee entitled The Union for Democratic Action. Composed mostly of intellectuals hitherto regarded as “Left-Wingers,” the committee will attempt to rally similar minds, excluding communists. The attitude towards the war is to demand whatever political, economic and military means are needed to defeat the aggressors. Fifty congressional non-intcr-ventionists pledged “unalterable opposition” to American convoys, “by whatever name they may be called.” They voted to petition the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee to approve the Tobey resolution forbidding convoys when the committee begins consideration tomorrow.