DEFENCE OF AMERICA

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21185, 7 August 1940, Page 7

DEFENCE OF AMERICA

DANGER OF DELAY HELP FOR BRITAIN

(United Press Assn. —Elec. Tel. copyright) WASHINGTON, August 5 The Chief of Staff of the United States Army, General George C. Marshall, in a broadcast speech, asserted that further delays by Congress in passing the legislation providing for conscription and the mobilisation of the National Guard might seriously jeopardise the effectiveness of America’s defence preparations.

“We must not speculate with the security of the nation,” said General Marshall. “We must train men immediately against the possibilities of the next" few months, which may be the most critical in the history of this country.” The Secretary of the Navy, Colonel Frank Knox, conferred to-day with Colonel William J. Donovan, a prominent Wall Street lawyer, who returned from Britain aboard the flying-boat Clare yesterday. It was stated that he had been on a secret mission for the United States Government. Transfer of Destroyers The Under-Secretary of State, Mr Sumner Welles, said to-day that he regarded General Pershing’s suggestion that America should transfer 50 over-age destroyers to Britain as worthy of serious thought and study. Pie added that he had not read Colonel Lindbergh’s speech to the Chicago anti-war rally. The Washington correspondent of the New York Times states that a check of the highest staff men in the Navy Department indicates that they oppose the transfer of destroyers, on the ground that the vessels are necessary as means to carry out America’s commitments for the defence of the western hemisphere in the event of an emergency. The chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Key Pittman, suggested that America should exchange destroyers for British battleships, ‘which,” he said, “do not seem to be of much use in the close waters of the North Sea, but if sent to Canada, would provide an asset justifying many sacrifices by the United States. “Such an exchange might eliminate the legal difficulties entailed in the outright transfer of destroyers to Britain,” said Senator Pittman. He added that he agreed with General Pershing’s arguments on the value of the Royal Navy in preserving the Empire and keeping the war from America. Canadian Defences Strengthened The Canadian Minister of Defence, Colonel J. L. Ralston, announced the immediate further strengthening of Canada’s eastern seaboard defences. He has appointed Major-General S. H. P. Elkins to be officer in command of the area, which includes New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, the approaches to the St. Lawrence, and Newfoundland. Colonel Ralston describes the eastern seaboards as Canada’s vulnerable area.