AMERICAN PLAN

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21304, 24 December 1940, Page 6

AMERICAN PLAN

ROAD TO SINGAPORE SAFETY IN THE PACIFIC NAVAL AND AIR BASES (United Press Assn.—Elec. Te!. Copyright) (Received Dec. 24, 3.15 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Dec. 23 I American naval experts are re--1 ported to have made a blueprint of a j “road to Singapore.” 1 A chain of naval stations across j the Pacific which can be linked with I Australian bases in wartime, tiny : islands, fuel depots, and observation posts from Hawaii to Australia. 1 thence to Singapore, will be roads and bases over which United States warships will move in relative safety in wartime and attack the enemy i trade routes or support the British j and Dutch fleets. It is announced that the action already taken includes placing Palmyra Island, 1000 miles south- : west of Hawaii, under the Navy’s : jurisdiction and preparing it as a naval and air station. I Other islands in the vicinity, including Canton, Howland and Baker Islands, are being considered for similar uses. South-westward lies the Pago Pago naval station, and ‘beyond there Port | Moresby. It is understood that British and Australian co-operation for the use of these or any other bases which the United States desires is assumed. No compact has been signed, but frequent informal talks have given an excellent idea that the two Governments’ reactions to the various circumstances amounts to an informal understanding without commitment. PLOT IN HUNGARY REGENT’S LIFE IN DANGER i TERMS OF IMPRISONMENT » (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Dec. 22 An Arrow Cross leader, Wirth, who is a member of the Hungarian Chamber of Deputies, has been sentenced to four and a-half years’ imprisonment and ten years deprivation of civil rights for plotting against the life of tlie Regent, Admiral Horthy, and also against the safety of the Stat.2. Ten other members of the party have been sentenced to terms ranging from five to 18 months’ imprisonment. TANKER IN PORT ESCAPE FROM U-BOAT (Unites Press Assn:—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Dec. 22 The Dutch motor tanker Pendrecht has arrived at a British port. On December 18 it was stated that the Pendrecht, of 10,746 tons, was torpedoed by a submarine off the west of Ireland. PRESUMED KILLED VICTORIA CROSS WINNER (United Press Assn—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Dec. 22 Flying-Officer D. E. Garland, V.C., previously reported missing, is now presumed to have been killed. Flying-Officer Garland was one of two airmen who are presumed to have lost their lives in blowing up a bridge over which German tanks and armoured units were pouring into Belgium. The other airman was Sergeant T. Gray, observer. They were in the leading bomber in a formation of five which bomb- | ed the only remaining bridge across | the River Meuse, near Maastricht, and halted the enemy advance. The bombers met a wall of fire, and only one returned. The bridge was destroyed. Flying-Officer Garland and Sergeant Gray were the first men in the Royal Air Force to be awarded the Victoria Cross.