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Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIX, Issue 21866, 20 January 1941, Page 5

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MR KENNEDY SPEAKS Gift of Arms Favoured By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received January 20, 2 a.m.) WASHINGTON, January 19. Mr J. P. Kennedy, former Ambassador to London, in a radio address on the lend and lease measure said he did not believe the country was faced with such immediate danger as to justify the surrender by Congress of its authority and responsibility. He was of the opinion that when the hearings were completed “there will be revealed less drastic ways of meeting the problem and adequate authority for the President.” He emphasised repeatedly that the while United States should aid Britain to the utmost she should direct all her efforts to keeping out of the war if possible. Mr Kennedy spoke over the N.8.C., which gave the time as a public service. He proposed the outright gifts of arms, munitions and aeroplanes to Britain. “We should go to the very limit of our assistance, but not to the point which would endanger our own protection If I am called an appeaser because I opposed entrance into the war, I cheerfully plead guilty. So milst anyone who wants to keep America out. . . . England’s spirited defence is affording us precious time to rearm, consequently it is to our interest that England be aided. “There are many false statements regarding my views. There is growing confusion and a reliance upon emotion. When I reported to our Government on the seriousness of the problem which faced the British people, it Was said that I predicted the defeat of Britain. That is not true. ... I reported that there were serious obstacles between Britain and victory. I know many of Britain’s weaknesses and predictions can only be based on a complete knowledge of the strength and weaknesses of both sides. ... A prediction of England’s defeat would be senseless, but one can recognise the enormous difficulties facing Britain without forseeing her defeat.” FIVE AIRMEN KILLED By Tpiegraph—Press Association—Copyright 4 (Received January 20, 2.0 am.) SYDNEY, January 19. Five airmen were killed in two weekend crashes in New South Wales. One machine in which three persons were killed, crashed in densely wooded country. Although the crash occurred on Saturday afternoon, searchers did not reach the scene till to-day. The second crash occurred to-day in New South Wales when two occupants of a ’plane were killed. MALTA AGAIN ATTACKED By Tpiegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received January 20, 2 am.) LONDON, January 19. Junkers bombers attacked Malta for three hours yesterday afteroon. Five, possibly six, raiders were shot down. The Germans in three days have almost equalled the total civilian damage caused by the Italians in eight months. Two famous historic churches were shattered.