PRESIDENT’S CALL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 June 1940, Page 6

PRESIDENT’S CALL

DEFENCE ORGANISATION IN UNITED STATES

IN VIEW OF WORLD MENACE

ENLARGEMENT OF MILITARY PROGRAMME. LESSON OF EVENTS IN EUROPE. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received This Day, 10.45 a.m.) WASHINGTON, May 31. President Roosevelt has asked Congress to increase defence spending to approximately 5,000,000,000 dollars, because of “the possibility that the American continent may be involved in worldwide war," and also for authority to call for active service such members of the National Guard as may be necessary to maintain neutrality and national defence. “While the possibility exists that not one or two continents, but all, may be involved in world-wide war,” the President states, “reasonable precaution demands that American defences be made more certain. The almost incredible events of the past fortnight in the European conflict, particularly as a 'result of the use of aviation and mechanised equipment, with the possible consequences of further developments, necessitate another enlargment of the United States military programme. “The most obvious lesson of the present war is the value of the speed factor. There is definite danger in waiting to order equipment and training after war begins,” Mr Roosevelt continued. “Therefore I suggest a speedy enlargement of the programme for equipping and training in light of defence needs.

“The problem of defending national institutions and territorial integrity is no longer one lor men equipped simply with indomitable determination. Modern defence requires determination supported by highly-developed machinery of industrial productive capacity. Mr Roosevelt did not specify the exact figure for the added programme but said it would be over a thousand million dollars. It is understood that it will actually approximate 1,250,000,000 dollars, of which the Army share will be 700,000,000 dollars, the Navy share 300,000,000 dollars. Mr Roosevelt divided his requests into, firstly, the acquisition of critical material, such as guns, tanks and planes; secondly, additional facilities to enable the mass production of weapons; thirdly, an authorisation to call up National Guard reserves for training; fourthly, the training of specialists to handle technical non-combatant machines behind the lines. “The increased gravity of the situation indicates that action should be taken without delay,” concluded Mr Roosevelt.’