The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-09-02
President Decides To Strengthen Defenses Puts in Motion Plans for Improvement of Our National Bulwarks After He Had Conferred
 With Secretary Hull
By HOBART c. MONTEE United Press Staff Correspondent

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 Washington, Sept. 2-(UP)-Pres- ident Roosevelt put into motion to- day two plans for strengthening na- tional defense forces on land and sea. The plans were announced a few hours after the president con- ferred with Secretary of State Cor dell Hull over latest developments in the European criSis-a conference such as has become a daily and sometimes twice-daily matter be- tween them during the past week.
 The navy department announced that it was forming immediately temporary" squadron for duty off the Atlantic coast. The squadron will consist of seven of the navy's newest cruisers and seven destroy CTS. Its formation will mark the first time in several years that the navy has regularly maintained a squadron on the Atlantic coast.
 Mobilize Electric Power
 Simultaneously, the president named special committee headed by Assistant Secretary of War Louis J. Johnson to devise a plan within 60 days for industrial mobilizat ton of electric power to link IS manu- featuring cities considered key points in Americas war industries. John- son said the purpose of the plan was to make America so strong that no foreign nation will bother us."
 The two moves were announced separately, and no mention was made in either announcement of the European crisis in which both the president and Hull repeatedly have declared this country has vital interest despite its most urgent desire to remain at peace with all countries and peoples. The timing of the announcements and their nature left little doubt that they were at least indirectly connected with the situation in Europe.
 Atlantic Squadron Plans
 The formation of the Atlantic squadron was considered especially significant, This marks the first large-scale result in terms of sea power of the huge naval construc- tion program upon which this gov ernment embarked at the beginning of the Roosevelt administration Heretofore new warships have taken their places, singly, with the fleet as they were commissioned. This additional strength to the fleet was scarcely noticed in terms of world naval force.
 In this instance, however, seven new cruisers are making their ad- vent as a unit. And they are being stationed in an area where their presence may well weigh in the decisions for peace or war which European statesmen now are con- sidering
 Day After Hitler Speaks
 Establishment of this squadron, scheduled officially for Sept. 6, the day after German Chancellor Hit ler'S Nuremberg speech, is believed an outgrowth of MT. RooSevelt's re- cent declaration that the United States would not stand idly by" if Canada were attacked by a foreign power. The placement of these new fighting ships where they can, if necessary, protect Oanada's Atlantic coast, is considered by diplomats here to be a warning reassurance to the British government in event it is compelled to use it's fleet for other purposes.
 American military and naval ex- pertS said that the new squadron in no wise constitutes a "tie-up" with the British government in the pres- ent crisis, but represented a basic necessity in national defense. They said the concluGion was reached long ago that domination of the sea for at least 500 miles from the Canadian coast is necessary to American defense. The strategic importance of a Canadian regime friendly to the national security and industrial welfare of the United Statescannot be over-estimated. these experts believe. They liken the Canadian St. Lawrence water way to 8 spear pointed to the heart of American industry" which must always be in friendly hands.
 Industries Vital
 That artery of trade and source of power helps to sustain some of the chief manufacturing areas whose industries are vital in the supply