GIGANTIC VOTES FOR DEFENCE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVI, Issue 21244, 14 January 1939, Page 15

GIGANTIC VOTES FOR DEFENCE

AMERICA’S REPLY TO DICTATORS President’s Appeal to Nation Concern Expressed By Japan Intentions to Fortify Islands United Press Association —By Electee Telegraph—Copyright NEW YORK, January 12 President Roosevelt, citing the threats of war and aggression throughout the world, called on Congress to authorise a 525,000,000 dollar emergency defence programme, of which 210,000,000 dollars are to be expended in 1940. He urged the appropriation as speedily as possible, in order that expansions, particularly of the army and navy aviation forces, could start at the earliest opportunity. Mr Roosevelt did not recommend the exact number of ’planes to be built, explaining that the army intends to establish a lump sum of 300,000,000 dollars for construction, in an effort to reduce unit costs, and place manu'facture on a mass production basis. In addition to the 525,000,000 dollars he recommended a special appropriation of 27,000,000 dollars, to improve the defences of the Panama Canal by enlarging the garrison, and increasing its armament. Minimum Needs Mr Roosevelt said: “Devoid of all hysteria, this programme is only the minimum of our requirements.” He denied any intention of leading the United States into a European war, but emphasised that the experience of 1917 showed that the nation was not ready to conduct large-scale land and air operations. “Relatively, we are not much more ready to-day, and also, we cannot guarantee a long period, free from attack, in which we could prepare,” he declared. “The Information from other nations indicates that we must have a complete revision of our aircraft estimates. Military aviation is increasing at an unprecedented and alarming rate.” He suggested that 50,000,000 dollars should be made available immediately for aviation, in order to correct the present lag in aircraft production due to idle plants. Stressing the minimum nature of the programme, he said: “No responsible officer advocates the building up of air forces equal to those of certain other nations, either in the total number of ’planes on hand, or in productive capacity." He pointed out, however, that: “Our young men should not be compelled to take the field with antiquated weapons." PRESIDENT’S BOLD LEAD DEFINITE ANSWER TO DICTATORS United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received January 13, 8.40 p.m.) NEW YORK, January 12. “President Roosevelt’s armament message was received by members of Congress as another step in his campaign to educate the American public to a greater participation by the United States in world politics, and was approved or deplored as individual congressmen reacted to that course,” says the Washington correspondent of “The New York Times”. “The temperate language used in the message and the demands reassured those pacificistically inclined, since they had been led to believe that something, much larger would be asked. While there will be very little opposition from them, some are bound to ask the administration to point to the military menace it has in mind. “The fundamental aim of the President seems to be to give the United States sufficient armament to throw an element of doubt in the minds of dictators." JAPAN GRAVELY CONCERNED FORTIFICATION OF GUAM RESENTED United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyrlgh t TOKIO, January 12. The Naval Spokesman announced that Japan viewed in the gravest light the reports that the United States intends strongly fortifying Guam Island.

Guam, the largest of the Ladrone or Marianne Islands in the North Pacific Ocean, lies in 13 degrees 26 minutes N. lat. and 144 degrees 39 minutes E. long., at a distance of about 1,506 miles east of Manila, the capital of the Philippine Islands, and forms a naval station between that dependency and the United States. The area of the island is estimated at 225 square miles, with a population of 20.857, of whom 19,611 are classed as native, 485 of the naval station, and 761 other than native. The natives are of Chamorro stock, mingled with Filipino and Spanish blood. The language is a Malay dialect containing many Spanish words, but English is fast becoming the language of the island. The capital, is Agana and the port of entry, Apra.