PACIFIC BASES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 October 1940, Page 5

PACIFIC BASES

MORE NEEDED BY UNITED STATES COLONEL KNOX ON WAR OUTLOOK VITAL FACTOR OF SUPPLIES. EXPANSION OF AMERICAN STRENGTH. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) WASHINGTON, October 22. The Secretary of the Navy, Colonel Knox, in a speech, said: “The United States needs more Pacific bases and we will have them. How far flung these Pacific bases must be is a question which awaits the outcome of events now in the making. “The war is again proving that the nations controlling the high seas control the world’s destinies. The war has become a war of food and oil. The contestant able to survive immediate attacks while controlling the food and oil supplies will win the war. “The nation controlling the sea approaches to Europe has an immense advantage. That is Britain. Only the possession of seapower, denying the German crossing of the English Channel, has enabled British airpower, outnumbered probably four to one, to make a magnificent defence. "The only way of approach to the Western Hemisphere is across the sea. If we recognise the soundness of this principle, not only are we safe ourselves, but we will exercise a profound influence on the peace and security of the rest of the world. "We now have 15 battleships and will have 32; we have 37 cruisers and will have 85. Our six aircraft carriers will be increased to 18, and our destroyers from 159 to 325. Our present submarine strength will be raised from 104 to 185. “We have 1200 combatant planes and will have more than 6000. “Every private shipyard equipped to build warships is laying down ships and building more slipways. Every navy yard is building to capacity. "The acquisition of eight Atlantic bases has tremendously strengthened the United States. It is equivalent to many ships, making the Atlantic defences well-nigh impregnable."