GROWING POWER OF CANADA

Southland Times, Issue 24227, 10 September 1940, Page 7

GROWING POWER OF CANADA

Empire Air Scheme In Operation

ARMY OF 40,000 MEN IS

ABROAD

(United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright)

(Received September 9, 6.30,p.m.) WASHINGTON, September 8.

The Foreign Policy Association, reporting on Canada’s war potentialities, noted that on July 24 the Air Force included 1765 officers and 17,688 airmen and 22 schools operating under the Empire scheme, under which 1216 officers, 10,524 other ranks, 2298 civilians and 2643 pupils were training, being an increase of 79 per cent, in two months. The army increased from 90,973 on June 10 to 154,000 on August 21, of which number 40,000 were abroad. The Navy at the end of July had 113 vessels and nearly 9000 officers and men. Shipyards were constructing 18 mine-sweep-ers and 64 anti-submarine vessels. Two destroyers were being built and three liners were being converted to armed cruisers.

GROWTH OF FRENCH FREE FORCES (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, September 8. A communique issued by General Charles de Gaulle’s headquarters spoke of “the numerous French colonies” which are following the example of the Chad territory in declaring .allegiance to Free France.

“From this moment onward,” the communique continues, “the blockade is raised as far as these free French colonies are concerned. Once more they breathe freely under the protection of the Free French forces and their Allies.”

Larger offices have been opened in London to deal with the increasing numbers of volunteers arriving from all parts of the world to join the Free French army, navy and air force. An enlarged staff to deal with them is already at work. It is stated that General de Gaulle will make his first public speech at Britain at a luncheon to be given in his honour by the English-speaking Union early in October.