WAR POLICY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 August 1940, Page 5

WAR POLICY

EVENTS MOVING FAST IN UNITED STATES MORE AID TO BRITAIN EXPECTED. PRESIDENT’S INSISTENCE ON DEFENCE. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) WASHINGTON, August 2. Congressional circles, which are usually regarded as reliable are predicting that the United States will shortly intensify her aid to Britain. It is stated that the Administration has studied several measures of assistance, involving the possibility of providing ships for convoys. Simultaneously considerable credence is given to reports that leaders of the Democratic Party are seeking an implicit understanding with the Republicans with the object of removing the question of aid to Britain from the arena of party politics. President Roosevelt is pressing for conscription despite warnings from Liberal groups that it is politically unpopular. Some observers doubt whether Mi- Roosevelt will attempt such a move unless it is believed that events in Europe will soon make conscription more popular. The President’s insistence on total national defence has impressed observers that the United States is preparing for eventualities. The feeling exists that the Government anticipates being required to defend objectives in the Western Hemisphere or in the far East instead cf in Europe. Developments have not yet crystallised, but Congressional circles who usually know believe that events arc moving fast. THE PHILIPPINES EXTENSION OF DEFENCE PROGRAMME. MANILA, August 3. The President of the Philippines. Senor Quezon, in a statement to the Press, declared that the Commonwealth was continuing its defence programme with some changes. "The war in Europe is teaching us that we are too optimistic regarding the defence of the Philippines,” he said. “The original plans are not so bright as before.” Questioned regarded the future of the Presidency, he said: "I am not a candidate and will not accept nomination, but I will serve if elected.”