MAIN SOURCE OF WORRY

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21154, 29 September 1938, Page 10

MAIN SOURCE OF WORRY

Reaction to Appeal by President Growing Concern in Washington United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received September 28, 6.30 p.m.) WASHINGTON, September 27. Cabinet is being convened for 2 p.m. and is expected to consider a programme contingent on war, and discuss the Neutrality Act. The Act is said to be the President’s main worry. If invoked, there is no certainty American interests and nationals abroad will be safeguarded. If not invoked, any American ship carrying war supplies risks sinking, while President Roosevelt has disclaimed sympathies for the disputants. As such, the Administration has worked closely with France and Britain in the problems arising from the Sino-Japanese war, to which the Neutrality Act has not been applied. Military experts say that Japan possibly will not join Germany and Italy if the United States remains neutral. Feverish Preparations The- War and Navy Departments are working at top speed to put the nation on a sound defence basis. President Roosevelt himself, playing an important part in the plans of the War Department, to-day announced that the Second Division would be reorganised into a highly mobile unit, as a model for other infantry forces. It will number 120,000, instead of the normal 26,000. Motorised equipment and the most modern weapons will enable it to travel faster and hit harder. It is also announced that the First Division’s large scale manoeuvres proved that the new lightweight gas mask is most effective. Major-General Albert Blanding, Chief of the National Guard Bureau, has reported a marked advance in enrolments, the intensification of training, improvement in equipment. The strength is at present 200,000. APPEAL FOR PEACE POPE TO ISSUE APPEAL United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received September 29, 1.4 a.m.) LONDON, September 28 It is officially stated in the Vatican City that the Pope has decided to broadcast an appeal for peace throughout the world.