THE AMERICAN NAVY

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21156, 4 July 1940, Page 8

THE AMERICAN NAVY

COLONEL KNOX APPROVED OPPOSITION TO CONVOY “IT WOULD MEAN WAR” (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright, (Received July 4, 3.15 p.m.) WASHINGTON, July 3 The Senate Naval Committee approved of the nomination of Colonel Knox as Secretary to the Navy by nine votes to five. Colonel Knox testified that any British warship entering an American port would have to be interned. He also opposed the United States convoying supply ships to belligerents, because “it would mean war.” Both these opinions differed from those of Mr H. Stimson. Colonel Knox added that to ensure its defence the United States should acquire sites for naval bases in South America, which was filled with waring political factions and was ripe for totalitarian penetration, which would menace the United States. Senator Holt declared that he was submitting a minority report against Colonel Knox. He indicated that the isolationists would fight Colonel Knox and Mr Stimson on the Senate floor. Acute Misery in Europe Colonel Knox said: “There is less hope than ever before of the United States exerting its influence to prevent the eternal dissension in Europe. Europe is facing a period of acute misery. The United States might be useful to the rest of the world if it conducts itself so that the world will desire to imitate it.” Mr Woodring’s Refusal Mr H. H. Woodring, who resigned from the post of Secretary for War following the President’s decision to appoint Mr Stimson, said he is not appearing voluntarily before the Senate Committee, in answer to the latter’s inviitation to testify. Huge Naval Programme President. Roosevelt had broadened the new defence programme to include the Navy in a plan requiring 5,000,000,000 dollars immediate appropriations and authorisations which it is expected will be submitted to Congress on July 8. The Navy awarded contracts for three aircraft-carriers, each of 43,662,000 dollars, and two cruisers, each of 19,172,000 dollars. This completes contracts for a 11 per cent, naval expansion, making 92 ships, totalling 499,435 tons, contracted for during the last three weeks, in addition to 66 warships being constructed under earlier authorisations.