AMERICAN PLANS FOR DEFENCE

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22518, 28 September 1938, Page 12

AMERICAN PLANS FOR DEFENCE

ARMY DIVISIONS TO BE MODERNISED MILITARY EXPERTS WORK AT TOP SPEED CtiNITBB PRP.SB ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT.) (Received September 28, 2.30 a.m.) WASHINGTON, September 27. The United States Cabinet will meet at 2 p.m. It is expected to consider a programme contingent on war, and to discuss the Neutrality Act. The latter is said to be Mr Roosevelt’s main worry; If it is invoked there is no certainty that American interests and nationals abroad will be safeguarded. If it is not invoked any American ship carrying war supplies will run the risk of being sunk. While' Mr Roosevelt disclaimed any sympathies for the disputants as such, the Administration has worked closely with France and Britain in problems arising from the war between Japan and China to which the Neutrality Act was hot applied. Military experts say that Japan will possibly not join Germany and Italy if the United States remains neutral.

The War and Navy Departments are working at top speed to put the nation on a sound defence basis. Mr Roosevelt himself is playing an important part in the plans. The War Department to-day announced that the Second Division would be reorganised into a highly mobile unit as a model for the other infantry forces. It will number 120,000 instead of the normal 26,000. Motorised equipment and the most modern weapons will enable it to travel faster and hit harder. It is also announced that the recent large-scale manoeuvres of the First Division proved the new lightweight gas-mask to be very effective.

Major-General Albert Blanding, Chief of the National Guard Bureau,, has reported a marked advance in enrolments. There has been an intensification of training and great improvement in equipment. The strength of the guard at present is 200,000. “CABLE WRONGLY ADDRESSED " COMMENT BY GERMAN SPOKESMAN

“SHOULD HAVE GONE TO PRAGUE ”

LONDON, September 26

"Mr Roosevelt’s cablegram was Wrongly addressed; It should have gone to* Prague,” declared the spokesman Of the Propaganda Ministry at Berlin. The French Prime Minister (M. Daladier), replying to Mr Roosevelt, said: “France is making a supreme effort for an amicable settlement. 1 specially value the reaffirmation of the Kellogg Pact, itt the spirit of which we tenaciously seek,formal agreements compatible with the dignity Vital to the interests of the nations involved. We trust this will serve justice and peace, which have always linked France and America.” Official circles welcome Mr Roosevelt’s message as throwing more definite weight for peace.

CONTROL OF AIR SERVICES

BRITISH PREPARATIONS FOR EMERGENCY

(Received September 28, 1.15 a.m.)

LONDON. September 27

The "Daily Telegraph” says that in the event of a European War the Government will take over the control of the principal air services; Empire air mails will be carried on With modifications and rearrangements as circumstances diCtate. Probably they will be run as part of the air force operations. The A/ Force will probably take over civil aerodromes.

Plans are completed for guarding the aerodromes and Stores.

, Civil aircraft Will probably be cotoijiandeered as hundreds would be useful for special services. The Air Ministry is receiving many offers of services of personnel and aircraft.

“CONSTRUCTIVE EFFORT FOR PEACE”

ITALIAN COMMENT ON SPEECH

(Received September 28, 2 a.m,)

ROME, September 27.

Herr Hitler’s speech is regarded as a constructive and responsible effort for peace. The demand for the withdrawal of the Czech troops is justified on; the ground that Herr Hitler is willing to accept international Control pending the ensuing plebiscite.