TANKERS FOR BRITAIN

Southland Times, Issue 24492, 21 July 1941, Page 5

TANKERS FOR BRITAIN

MEASURE BY U.S. 100 VESSELS TO BE TRANSFERRED (Rec. 9.40 p.m.) NEW YORK, July 20. The United States Government has asked owners of American tankers to transfer an additional 100 vessels to the British war effort. The Petroleum Co-ordinator, Mr Harold L. Ickes, has called a conference for tomorrow at which, it is expected, plans will be made for the transfer of the first 25 ships. Mr Ickes has approved a plan to give Britain one day’s production of all the Texas oilwells. He believed the gift would amount to approximately 1,340,000 gallons. The Office for Production Management has tentatively ordered reductions to 50 per cent, in the production of automobiles, refrigerators and laundry machines in the interest of the defence programme in the coming year. Similar action is being taken in other - industries, primarily air conditioning and heating and cooking equipment and household appliances. EXPANDING PRODUCTION The Washington correspondent of The New York Times reports that Senator Sheridan Downey (Democrat, California) told the Senate Military Committee that Office for Production Management economists estimate that by April the United States will be outproducing Germany in warplanes and tanks. One thousand million dollars worth of military equipment is now being turned out and in two years this will be tripled. Speaking at San Francisco the British Ambassador, Lord Halifax, said that neither in the British Commonwealth nor America was there the slightest desire to pick a quarrel with Japan. Provided that Japan had due regard for the rights of other interested powers he saw no reason why any difficulties need arise to lead to a clash, but no one should make the mistake of thinking that under pressure Britain would allow her legitimate rights . and interests to be ignored or set aside.

MR HARRY HOPKINS CONFIDENT

LONDON, July 18. “To all those throughout the world who are wondering what will be the outcome, I say that this war cannot be lost,” declared Mr Harry Hopkins, who is in charge of Lend-or-Lease production, in an interview with British journalists at the American Embassy.

“America’s production is increasing every month and will continue to increase and will be far more extensive than anybody realizes. The whole productive effort of Britain and America must be directed to providing munitions sufficient to overwhelm dictator-

ship. We have got to whip this fellow. I am convinced that the British Empire, the United States and other countries which are still free can make larger quantities of mechanized equipment than Germanay. “I have come to discuss the whole problem of supplies for the United Kingdom in the Middle East. That ineludes anything you can mention, including munitions, food and shipping requirements. The United States is launching the biggest ship-building programme ever undertaken by any country. We are going to build enough ships to bring food to the United Kingdom and indeed every country where democracy is fighting Hitler. I am not giving away any secrets when I say that the United States will complete 1,009,000 tons of new shipping in 1941, 6,000,000 tons in 1942 and even more in 1943. The 0,000,000 tons will be 2,000,000 tons above the last war’s peak. “United States production of planes is rapidly increasing, especially the giant four-engined bombers which reach the easternmost parts of Germany to knock out factories and sources of supply.”

GERMAN MINISTER TO LEAVE BOLIVIA

(Rec. 7.30 p.m.) LA PAZ (BOLIVIA), July 20.

A state of siege has been decreed as the result of the discovery of pro-Nazi elements’ subversive activities, which, according to the official spokesman have been carried on under the direction of the German Legation. The German Minister has been ordered to leave the country.

The secretary to the President said the decree was in keeping with the

Government’s duty to maintain public order and “develop an energetic attitude in the face of demagogy trying to undermine public order.” The Ministry of the Interior announced the country was tranquil. All measures were precautionary. United States Government circles conjecture that Nazi agents were seeking to foment a revolution in Bolivia with a view to interrupting tin shipments to Britain and the United States. Bolivia is the world’s third largest tin producer.