U.S.A. & BRITAIN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 August 1940, Page 5

U.S.A. & BRITAIN

GENERAL PERSHING’S COUNSEL TRANSFER OF DESTROYERS ADVOCATED. POLICY THAT MAY SAVE AMERICA. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) WASHINGTON, August 4. General Pershing, who commanded the. American forces in France in the last, war, in a broadcast urged the United States to make available at least 50 over-age destroyers to Canada or Britain “if a proper method can be found” as a mean of safeguarding the . United States’ own freedom. He added: “Tomorrow may be too late to keep the war from the Americas. If there is anything the United States is able to do to help save the British Fleet in the next few weeks or months we shall be failing in our duty to America if we don’t do it. If old destroyers are able to help save the British Fleet they may save us the dangers and hardships of another war. “I believe it would be absolutely folly even, to consider sending another expeditionary force to Europe,” General Pershing continued. “The way to defend our heritage before it is too late is to do everything possible to aid Europe's last democracy, Britain. “We can easily afford 50 destroyers because we have an immense reserve of them from the last war. The next few weeks and months will be the most critical for Britain, because after that she will have completed a large number of her own destroyers. “America at present is gravely threatened. We must unitedly arise and defend our liberties and independence.” PRESS COMMENT VIEWS OF LEADING PAPERS. LONDON, August 5. The appeal by General Pershing to the United States to make available for Britain old destroyers is backed up by leading American Press opinion. The “New York Times” says that great danger for the United States is lurking in the present European situation. By sending held to Britain in the form of old destroyers, America might be saved from another war. The “New York Herald-Tribune' says that the successful defence of Great Britain is important to the United States, and no aid to that end should be withheld. General Pershing has also expressed his support of the proposals for compulsory military training.