U.S.A. ARMS EMBARGO

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 January 1940, Page 3

U.S.A. ARMS EMBARGO

EFFECT OF ITS REPEAL

HELP FOR THE R.A.F.

WHAT THE DOMINIONS ARE DOING.

It is now possible for us to realise the far reaching effects of the lifting of the embargo on the export of aircraft from the United States and the decision Io train pilots and air personnel in almost every country of the British Commonwealth. We must first consider the effect of the repeal of the arms embargo in America. President Roosevelt, said to an English writer some months ago. “It is better for the United States that England should spend her money on armaments than to use it for paying her debts to us." This far-sighted, liberal view has prevailed. Through the President's courage and the natural sense of justice in the American people, the United States become our allies in Economic Warfare, even if they continue to uphold their neutrality as a nation. The effect of the repeal on Germany was revealed in a broadcast from Zeesen in which the speaker said: "We are compelled to state that Washington has given England and France, not only all possible assistance in the supply of arms, but also is initiating a system of support for British warships to carry out raids.” America’s Maritime Commission has shown itself equally willing to bend the law, without breaking it, to our advantage. On November 7. the Commission granted permission to the United States Lines to transfer eleven trans-Atlantic ships to Panama registry. Under the Panama flag the ships will be able to carry arms to Britain and France —forbidden to Americanregistered vessels by the new Neutrality Act. Foreign crews will man the ships, because American sailors must not take part in shipping arms and ammunition to warring nations. The first question that follows the announcement of the repeal is, "How far will the United States be able to help us?" Two circumstances must be considered as favourable to British and French needs. The American factories are in a better position to supply orders than they would have been in September or October. The projected addition of aircraft to the U.S.A, air services for the next twelve months is not expected to exceed some 1500 aircraft. The remainder of America's very big output will be available for the Allies. Also, at the beginning of the last war. American manufacturers were overwhelmed by the unexpected orders from the Allies. 'This time, they have had some months in which to adjust their schedule and are more able to fulfil our orders. Those who have seen such wonders as the assembly belt of the Ford works in Detroit and who realise the vision and courage of United States engineers will be able to imagine how profitably the Americans have used these months of waiting to swell their output. Already, aircraft factories as far west as California have big stores waiting for transport to New York. I On the docks of New York itself there were shipments of bombers waiting for the word from Washington that the embargo had been repealed. The French share of the aircraft now ready is expected to amount to between four and five hundred bombers and a number of fighters. No details in regard to the British share have been published, but it can be revealed that a considerable number are being shipped. Many of them are already

on their way across the Atlantic. There is further news of a number of United States aircraft engines having already been landed at a British port. These arc part of an order for engines and accessories made by Imperial Airways before the war. Further big orders for aero engines have been placed in the United States by both France and Great Britain.

Tlte lifting of the embargo comes at a fortunate - moment in relation to the scheme for training pilots in Canada. In addition to aircraft imported into Canada from U.S.A, it must be remembered that there are factories already working in Canada, some of them branches of American concerns and others controlled with the Dominion. Thus the bulk of the air resources of both the United States and Canada are at our disposal. The increase of manufacture in Canada will provide an opportunity for service to the Dominion's engineers and mechanics. All these circumstances give us a further advantage over the enemy for, with the help of a steady supply of American aircraft. Canada can turn out an equally steady supply of trained pilots and observers free from all danger of menace from air attack and in weather conditions which add still another score in our favour.

The Canadians have acted quickly and generously. It is typical of the spirit of the entire Dominion that the Ontario Government has handed the spacious buildings and estate of the new hospital at St Thomas over to the Royal Canadian Air Force, to be used as a technical training centre. Also, the Canadian Defence Purchasing Board has announced the impending construction of- 12 new hangars for Canadian Air Force stations in Nova Scotia and five for stations in British Columbia.

A telegram from Pretoria gives an equally stimulating picture of conditions in South Africa. The official message states that "npver before in the Defence Forces of South Africa has there been such a spirit of enthusiasm and brisk efficiency.”

A further economy in home personnel is being made by opening new training slations in India. Hitherto, all pilots for the Indian Air Force have been trained in Great Britain. Now they will be trained at Ambala. The ruling princes have given (he iie to Germany's attacks upon the loyalty oi India by presenting immense sums of money for the development of air defence, and the Nizam of Hyderabad is financing an entire squadron of aircraft, as a gesture of good will towards, lhe cause of the Allies. There

is art interesting sidelight on the training schemes in India in connection with file neighbouring Afghans. They are now sending pupils for various branches of their Air Force in India for instruction and already about seventy of them have passed tests at Karachi and Delhi. It might be an indication of the peaceful intentions of Afghanistan that the Government prefers to have its men trained in British India rather than in Russia.

Australia and New Zealand, whence so many pilots have coin! into the service. tire increasing their supply of personnel for the Air Force and Australia has already chosen a site for two .big aircraft factories. At first, the aluminium parts of aircraft will be

made from ingots shipped from Great Britain and Canada, but in a month or two Australia will be able to supply her own aluminium. Il is announced that the factories, "with offices, laboratory, rolling mill and extrusion plant." will be ready ,by December. Aircraft manufactured in Australia will no doubt be able to take their place in France.