AMERICA URGED TO PREPARE FULLY.

Western Star, 18 October 1938, Page 3

AMERICA URGED TO PREPARE FULLY.

<g> . BRITAIN'S ."HUMILIATING POSITION." WASHINGTON, October 14. Interviewed at the White House, where he is the guest of the President (Mr Franklin D. Roosevelt) Mr Bernard Munich, the international banker and chairman of the Industries Board during the Great War, .emphasized America's unpreparedness. He urged a bigger navy, .an army of 400,000 men, a.ncl the organization of industry to enable the rapid production of munitions so iftnu "wo will not find ourselves in England's humiliating position."

Mr Baruch contended that the "socalled Munich peace" was the outcome of one thing alone—British and French unpreparedness. "Herr HitJe r knew that they were not prepared to come- to grips," he said. "I know that America is not prepared. We have a good Navy, but the army is iiot first-class."

Mr Roosevelt slated that national defence needs arising from new world conditions compelled him to delay the discussion on next year's Budget, as he was, undertaking, aided by numerous experts, a complete examination of the defence situation.