THREEFOLD TASK

Timaru Herald, Volume CLI, Issue 22183, 29 January 1942, Page 5

THREEFOLD TASK

U.S. Troops In Ireland WASHINGTON, January 27. Militarists explain that the American Expeditionary Force in Northern Ireland has a threefold task: Firstly, to protect American naval bases in Northern Ireland; secondly, to aid the defence of Eire if Hitler attempts an invasion; thirdly, eventual use as part of an invasion force against the Continent to liberate oppressed countries. The Commander (Major-General Hartle) is one of the most experienced American generals, with a distinguished record in the World War. the Mexican War, the Philippines and Puerto Rica. United States Army authorities in Northern Ireland announced that general headquarters for the United States armed forces in the British Isles have been established somewhere in England. The Commander is Major-General James Chaney. A special observer group arrived in England on May 15, 1941, to make a detailed study of British military and air technique and lay plans for operations In the event of the United States becoming a belligerent. Mr de Valera Protests The Prime Minister of Eire (Mr de Valera) has issued a long statement of protest against the landing of American troops in Northern Ireland. He said that the Government of Eire was not consulted by either the United States or Britain. Mr de Valera then went on to protest about the partition of 'reland. He said

that Eire had no hostility towards the United States, and had ho wish for a conflict. The Eire Minister of Supply (Mr Sean Lemass) said that the danger to Eire’s neutrality had been increased by the presence of American troops in Northern Ireland. The coming year, he added, might bring the supreme test. A Washington message states that representative John M. Robison demanded in the House to know why an American expeditionary force had been sent to Ireland instead of the Philippines. He said that Britain had 3,500,009 men armed to the teeth, while Germany occupied Russia. “Our hearts are bleeding tor General MacArthur, yet we send an army, ships and planes to Ireland."