AMERICAN FLEET

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 April 1939, Page 6

AMERICAN FLEET

ORDERED TO RETURN TO PACIFIC NO EXPLANATION GIVEN. MOVE REGARDED AS HIGHLY SIGNIFICANT. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. ; WASHINGTON. April 15. The United States fleet .has been ordered to return to the Pacific from the Atlantic as soon as it has fuelled. No explanation is given. The sudden transfer is believed to have the highest significance. It is reported to be the result, at least partly, of intelligence reports that any new military developments in Europe might be coupled with action by Japan in the East Indies area. President Roosevelt personally approved the order, which affects all but the Atlantic squadron reinforced by five cruisers, six submarines, and an aircraft-carrier. Several units sailed tonight and the main battle fleet is lying in Hampton Roads. It is hastily refuelling and is expected to weigh anchor within 36 hours. The fleet has been engaged in manoeuvres in the Caribbean Sea and was due to visit New York for the World Fair after a review by ; Mr Swanson, Secretary of the Navy, off Virginia Capes on April 24. An official explanation of the abrupt sailing order was refused by the Navy Department. POSSIBLE PURPOSES. The three possible purposes advanced are: (1), Readiness for any eventuality in the Pacific in the event of war; (2), an effort to offset the position of the Berlin-Rome-Tokio axis in the event of Mr Roosevelt’s peace move being unsuccessful, and at the same time partly allaying British ,and French fears regarding the. Far East; (3) a gesture toward relieving the European tension: The fleet's dispatch to Atlantic was regarded as a warning to German and Italy. Naval subscribers to the second belief expressed the opinion that, with the British and French fleets concentrated in the Mediterranean, the Japanese would be likely to feel free in the Pacific, where they recently seized the strategic Spratley Islands. If Japan has designs upon the East Indies petroleum and rubber, as Washington is reported to have been advised, the United States would be directly affected owing to the proximity of the Philippines. It will be recalled that in 1937 Mr Anthony Eden, then Foreign Secretary, asked Mr Norman Davis at the Brussels Conference whether the United States fleet would police the Pacific if Britain were occupied in a European war. Mr Davis declined to make any commitment. Other quarters consider the order was timed to accompany Mr Roosevelt's appeal to the dictators as a peaceful gesture, indicating that the United States has no hostile intentions The State Department’s spokesman specifically denied this interpretation, saying that the fleet is merely returning to its station. LEAVE CANCELLED . BEARING ON POSITION iIN FAR EAST. IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENTS EXPECTED. (Received This Day,. 10.45 a.m.) NEW YORK. April 16. The United States Pacific fleet, at present in the Atlantic, has been ordered to return to the Pacific and begin high-speed refuelling. The shore leave of thousands of officers and ratings has been cancelled. One hundred and forty vessels will be ready to leave in 36 hours’ time, while 56 will remain in the Atlantic. This move is seen to have some bearing on the position in the Far East, where important developments are believed to be pending.