The Waikato Times MONDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1939 ARMS FROM UNITED STATES

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20954, 6 November 1939, Page 6

The Waikato Times MONDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1939 ARMS FROM UNITED STATES

If Germany hopes effectively to use her allegedly superior armaments before it is too late, reason suggests that the lifting of the embargo on the export of arms from the United States will be the signal for the long-awaited German offensive. According to American Administration circles, the repeal of the embargo will release orders for armaments totalling £200,000,000, most of which it is certain will be for the Allies. Soon there will be a procession of ships across the Atlantic carrying thousands of aeroplanes and all the other implements of war to add to the already tremendous resources of Britain and France. If the opposing strength now is sufficient to cause the German armies to hesitate, the situation will be much worse from Germany’s point of view before next spring. Nazi propagandists complain that the repeal of the neutrality law is tantamount to outright support of the Allies by the United States, “ but it remains to be seen whether Britain will get the stuff across the Atlantic.” America’s decision is Germany’s misfortune; it certainly favours the Allies in a most important degree. Britain will assuredly carry arms across the Atlantic in large quantities unless Germany is able to produce unsuspected strength in submarines. As soon as the trade with America begins, Britain can expect an intensification of the submarine campaign in a desperate last effort to restrict Britain’s access to overwhelming strength in arms. Britons have much cause to be thankful for the strength of the Royal NavyWhat will be the reaction in the United States? The Administration was astonished at the size of the majorities in favour of repeal legislation, which is in part attributed to recent acts abroad which have impressed American opinion with the seriousness of the Nazi menace. There is no doubt that millions of people in the United States will be glad that the armaments they are manufacturing will be contributing toward the defence of democracy against the threat of Nazidom. And the huge orders from the Allies will mean work for many thousands of workmen who have been on the dole and profits from industries, not only armaments manufactures, which have for some time been languishing. The British Empire’s far-reaching scheme for the training of a powerful air force in Canada probably depended to a large extent upon securing large numbers of machines from the United States. It may be assumed that immediately the new legislation receives the President’s signature huge consignments of aeroplanes and other requirements will cross the border into Canada to equip the 100 aerodromes which are being prepared in the Dominion to train airmen from all over the Empire. It is not improbable that New Zealand pilots will in the not distant future be flying some of the finest products of the great American aviation industry. Will Germany stand idly by and watch this great military organisation reach its full strength?