PANAMA DEFENCES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 July 1940, Page 7

PANAMA DEFENCES

UNITED STATES FLEET MANOEUVRES USE OF ANTI-SUBMARINE NETS. TEST OPERATIONS BY BOMBERS. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) BALBOA. June 29. '[’lie I'niled States Navy is reported to have laid tin antisubmarine net at the Pacific ent ranee to the canal. The reasons cannot be ascertained, but it is possibly connected with the arrival of the fleet, which is unofficially expected on Friday. A similar antisubmarine net is reported to be ready on the Atlantic side, l.ml it is not yet in position. Day and night army manoeuvres arc under way over the isthmus. The .Army’s official explanation is "intensification of training." A Panama report says 15 naval bombers will test the defences of the canal on Saturday or Sunday. To simulate an attack they will drop flares instead of bombs. It is authoritatively stated that non-rigid submarine nets are being placed at both ends of the canal for training purposes. An earlier message from Washington states that President Roosevelt, at a Press conference, declined to answer an enquiry as to the whereabouts ol the fleet. He admitted that he might not at present know the exact position but implied that the operations of the fleet were under the guidance of White House. The President added that the decree giving him full power over shipping in American waters was applicable to the Atlantic liners Normandie and Queen Elizabeth, but he did not indicate whether the power would be used. While nothing is known of the whereabouts of the fleet, Admiral Leahy, former Chief of Naval Operations and now Governoi' of Puerto Rico, said today that he believed it was on its way to the Atlantic. "That is where we are going to need it," he said. Senator K. Pittman, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, in an interview today, suggested thaA an understanding by the British French and United States fleets could localise Hitler in Europe. He expressed the opinion that there never would be an alliance between the United States, and Britain, but thought that an understanding between the fleets would be sufficient. A combined Anglo-French fleet would dominate one ocean and the United States fleet could control the other. The Australian Minister, Mr R. G. Casey, has visited the State Department frequently in the last 24 hours. LOCATION OF FLEET NOT YET DISCLOSED. BEARING ON JAPANESE POLICY. —— I (Received This Day. 10.15 a.m.) MANILA, June 30. The whereabouts of the United States Fleet is still unknown, but it is believed that its arrival at Panama would serve as a “go ahead signal" foi Japanese action.