AMERICAN DEFENCES

Evening Star, Issue 23682, 16 September 1940, Page 6

AMERICAN DEFENCES

CONSCRIPTION BILL PASSED OPERATING FROM NEXT MONTH Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright WASHINGTON, September 14. The Senate approved the final draft of the Conscription Bill and sent it to the House, which also approved it. Immediately after the passage of the Bill President Roosevelt asked Congress for an additional 1,600,000,000 dollars as the expenses for the first year’s training, for which 800,000 can he called up from October.

NEW NAVAL POLICY

BIG PROGRAMME APPROVED

WASHINGTON, September 14,

President Roosevelt approved the new and stronger naval policy drawn up hy the Naval Board, based on prospective two-ocoan fleets, the recent acquisition of new naval outposts, and the strengthening of the naval air arm. The policy of developing two main bases on each coast and one in Hawaii will be continued,, while air bases will he developed in coastal areas and outlying islands to support naval operations. The board states that its major aims are, first, organisation and maintenance of the fleet for major operations in both oceans; secondly, development of naval aviation as an integral part of the fighting forces, indicating new stress; thirdly, development 'and maintenance of shore activities, including strategic bases for the support of mobile forces; fourthly, locating shore activities in sucli geographical areas as will promote security from air and other attack; fifthly, fostering civil industries which are useful in war time; sixthly, making building superiority the major aim. It is stated that the Asiatic fleet and other detached forces will be kept in readiness for incorporation in the main fleet.

GREAT BATTLE FLEET

NAVY SECRETARY IMPRESSED HONOLULU, September 14. The Secretary of the Navy, Colonel Knox, after five days at sea with the battle fleet, said the American sea forces were the most powerful and most effective in the world. He declared that after his return to Washington he would do all possible to make Pearl Harbour the most impregnable bulwark of American defences in the Pacific. He added that he believed that the army and air strength in the islands needed urgent expansion; and he understood that new bombers were being sent. Colonel Knox will return to the United States by air on Tuesday.