ARMY OF 1,200,000

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21200, 24 August 1940, Page 8

ARMY OF 1,200,000

NEEDS OF AMERICA MR ROOSEVELT’S APPEAL CONSCRIPTION URGED | (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) ! (Received August 24. 3.15 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Aug. 23 President Roosevelt, at a press | conference, said America needed an army of 1,200,000. He announced that reports that the Nazis had established refuelling bases in the Caribbean Islands were being investigated. The Senate approved and sent to the White House a Bill authorising Mr Roosevelt to mobilise 395,000 members of the National Guard and Army reserves. Mr Roosevelt urged the immediate enactment of conscription, on the ground that it was absolutely essenI tial to build up adequate defence. ! He pointed out that a Bill was sub- ! mitted on June 20, but the House of i Representatives and the Senate were 1 still talking. j The President said he had observed the manoeuvres in New York State, and had found the men willing but many were soft and regarded a 15mile march as a terrible ordeal, while some European armies were capable of 30 miles daily. Fifth Column Activities

Colonel Knox, Secretary to the Navy, in summarising a. series of four articles by Colonel William J. Donovan and Mr Edgar Mowrer dealing with Fifth Columninism, declares:

“Nazi propaganda aims: (1) At creating confusion within the democracies before attacking; (2) inciting class hatred; (3) plots to retard military preparedness, utilising pacifists and church groups for that purpose; (4) propagandising the upper classes and whipping up fear of Bolshevism to encourage appeasement; (5) keep democracies apart, thus betraying easily and conquering each singly.” Colonel Knox added that the solution lies in tearing down the veil of secrecy under which traitors function. This the United States is pursuing vigorously. The articles have been publicised in newspapers throughout the nation.