AMERICAN DEFENCE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 40, 17 February 1939, Page 7

AMERICAN DEFENCE

ROOSEVELT’S PROGRAMME PASSED BY THE HOUSE “ GERMANY READY TO STRIKE ” [By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright] Received Feb. 16, 11.5 p.m. WASHINGTON, Feb. 16. The House of Representatives passed Mr. Roosevelt’s 376,000,000dollar programme by 367 votes to 15, rejecting all attempts at an amendment and carrying a 5,000,000-dollar provision for the defence of Guam and authorising the expansion of the j Army Air Corps to 5500 planes. Representative Pace stated: “Germany is ready to strike. I think she may demand the Ukraine to-morrow and then Tunisia will be fought for. We are safe as long as England and France stand and we are in immedi- , ate danger when they fall. Is it notj better for us to sell England and France the planes they need for defence than to go to war ourselves with the victors if England and France are defeated?”

BRITAIN PREPARES

great defence programme. Received Feb. 16, 6.5 p.m. LONDON, Feb. 15. The Defence White Paper released | to-day states .hat the system of erecting factories at the Government’s expense and managed by business men had been extended. Royal Air Force recruits lor the year ending March 31, 1939, will probably reach 35,000, the While Paper adds. Over 2500 volunteer reservists are being trained as pilots. The Territorial Army has been reorganised to conform with the Regular Army with the addition of motorcycle battalions. ' The balloon barrage has been extended to the provinces, and comprises 47 squadrons. Aid raid precaution volunteers enrolled to December totalled 1,150,000. Steel shelters are being provided for ten million people, basements are being strengthened and trenches completed at a cost of £20,000,000. Fifty thousands beds and mattresses are being distributed to hospitals and instiutions, and 200,000 blankets have been ordered. The Government has allotted £5,000,000 for the storage of food, fertilisers, and petroleum in 1939 compared with £8,5000,000 in 1938. Sixty warships, with a total tonnage of 120,000, are expected to be added to the Fleet in the forthcoming financial year. Three capital ships are being modernised. The report concludes: His Majesty’s Government is confident that the people will be ready to bear the heavy burden involved and share in ! the determination of the Government ' to ensure the adequacy of our defence preparations.