ARMED AID LIKELY

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21374, 19 March 1941, Page 5

ARMED AID LIKELY

BRITAIN AND AMERICA HITLER MAY MOVE FIRM POLICY IN PACIFIC (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) NEW YORK, March 17 Armed aid for Britain, particularly naval aid, is foreseen by Washington diplomatic observers as a virtual certainty following President Roosevelt’s speech, says the New York World-Telegram’s Washington correspondent. It is also thought that Hitler may soon break off diplomatic relations with the United States out of regard for his own prestige. In the past, even when criticised by minor American officials, the Fuehrer or his spokesmen have beaten their breasts and screamed ‘dire threats. This time it was the President himself who castigated the dictators. The Committee to Defend America by Aiding the Allies, in a new policy statement, urges the convoying of ships with American naval vessels. It also recommends Congress to revise the legislation in

order to allow the recruiting of Americans who wish to serve the Allies. It advises “a firm policy in the Pacific,” including increased American naval strength in the Far East; increased aid to China; the extension of embargoes on war materials I against Japan; the giving of a clear j indication of the United States’ dei termination to prevent the conquest l of Singapore and the Dutch East j Indies: and the reciprocal use of | British and United States Far East- ! ern bases, with a clear naval underI standing between the two countries. Longer Hours of Labour I ! The Co-ordinator of Defence Proj auction, Mr William S. Knudsen, at a conference of representatives of } management and labour, predicted j that there would soon be an in- ,! crease of over 60 per cent in the , number of man-hours of labour de--1 voted to deicnce production. He • estimated that the defence pro- ; gramme would require 18,000.000.000 i man-hours, and urged a speed-up ! in the training of defence workers, i A message from Tacoma says j a four-motored Flying Fortress ! bomber, with British airmen at the I controls, has left for Britain. It is 1 1116 £i ' s; 0122 -