SECURITY PATROL

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20057, 2 October 1939, Page 7

SECURITY PATROL

FORCE FOR HAWAII EAST PACIFIC CONTROL POWERFUL SPEARHEAD ACTION BY AMERICA SECRET NAVAL ACTIVITY (Reed. Oct. 2, Noon.) NEW YORK, Oct. 1. The Los Angeles correspondent of the New York Times says: “A faststriking force of two squadrons of destroyers, one cruiser and one aircraft carrier is preparing to augment the Hawaiian detachments to form a powerful spearhead of security in the Pacific. Since the Government slopped publicising naval movements, there is no confirmation.”

A further report from Los Angeles states that the Navy has confirmed the report that a detachment is going to Hawaii under Vice-Admiral Adolphus Andrews “to continue scheduled training!”

The New York Times says that Vice-Admiral Andrews, commander of the scouting force, is one of the navy’s most -brilliant- strategists. Fleet leaders are elated over his selection and consider Vice-Admiral Andrews peculiarly fitfted in experience and temperament.

The scope of the security patrol will probably cover the entire Eastern Pacific from the equator to Alaska and west to Midway Island.

The Los Angeles correspondent of the New York Times says further, that the additions to the naval force at Hawaii will include the aircraft carrier Enterprise, 80 planes, four cruisers, a complement of stcoulers and 30 destroyers. Already at Hawaii are 72 giant trans-oceanic flyingboats, 14 submarines, four destroyers and nine minelayers.

The Washington correspondent of the New York Times says that national defence activities are daily being clouded to more and more secrecy. The latest move is an order to conceal the movements "f naval vessels in both oceans. Closing aviation bases, fields, naval and army arsen--ils, navy yards and shore stations to the general public was ordered shortly after tire war started. Also the progress of naval construction has been carefully guarded for many weeks.

There is no censorship, and if news is obtainable it can be printed,

but the Government is striving to make news unobtainable in an effort to eliminate the menace of sabotage and espionage.