THE WORLD ARMS

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20694, 3 January 1939, Page 7

THE WORLD ARMS

AMERICA’S PROGRAMME

FAVOURED BY THE PUBLIO CHANCES OF WAR INCREASED (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) WASHINGTON, Jan. 1 Extraordinary interest and importance i§ attached to the opening on Congress on January 3, particularly as probably the outstanding question to be deliberated will be the rearmament programme. The American public is overwhelmingly in its favour, and the only differences of opinion are concerning its extent and the method of financing it. The American Institute of Public Opinion’s December survey shows 86 per cent in favour of a larger navy, 82 per cent in favour of a larger army, and 90 per cent in favour of a larger air force. This is an increase of 20 per cent on the 1935 survey, and is largely due to the belief that the Munich agreement has merely heightened the chance of war. Confusion and Alarm A concrete statement by President Roosevelt on defence policy is anxiously awaited. Glimpses of the plans so far given are confusing, and reports such as that there is to be a “ front line ” strength of 13,000 aeroplanes and a reserve of 20,000 pilots have caused alarm, particularly among isolationists, who ask whether Mr Roosevelt is planning active co-opera-tion with Britain and France. Those who consider the forces are designed merely to strengthen Mr Roosevelt's hands in bargaining moves, besides providing complete home defence, feel that it is a mighty expensive diplomatic device, but unwillingly admit that it may be necessary. Mr Roosevelt is expected to reveal his strategy in a message to Congress on January 4. Raise Money by Taxation The next query is as to the method of financing the programme. Mr Roosevelt has indicated that he plans to raise the money by taxation, but here he will possibly encounter difficulties with the Republicans, who will need assurance that the huge armaments are justified. They may also dispute the precise nature of the taxation. The chief domestic task is a comprehensive revision of certain of the New Degd laws, making them more workable and less controversial, and the Government reorganisation measure which was soundly defeated on April 8 last. Mr Roosevelt recently announced that he would reintroduce this. Another controversial matter Is the question of further appropriations for the Works Progress Administration, the funds of which will be exhausted by February. An attempt will be made to pass a resolution opposing a third term for the President. 14 War is Inevitable ” Asserting that the American people believe war inevitable. Senator D. I. Walsh, chairman of the Naval Affairs Committee, last night urged that the United States navy should be built beyond treaty strength if that was necessary to make it unbeatable. He outlined a flve-point defence plan covering the enlargement of the navy, army and air force, the strengthening of the coastal defences and the mobilisation of industry. Senator Walsh’s forthright statement, which emphasised particularly the seriousness of the dictators’ influence in South America, coincided with the revelations of the intimidation of delegates at the Lima conference. Mr. Walsh commented that the conference forcibly drew attention to the inroads of the Fascist Powers in South America. “ There are limits to which our good neighbour policy can be safely pursued,” he said. “ The germination of hostile feelings in the Americas to make possible the establishment of air and naval bases can only be construed as a threat against our national security.”