The Dayton forum. [volume] (Dayton, Ohio) 1913-1949, 1940-08-16


per month, and to reduce the length
of time Of army enlistments from
three years to one year, in the be-
lief that such action will make con-
scription unnecessary, at least at this
time and under present conditions.
Last week General Pershing, in a
national broadcast, brought out in
the open campaign that his been
going on for some little time to get
Congressional approval for the sale
Of At least fifty United States de-
stroyers to the British Navy. Unlike
the transfer and sale of airplanes
made to France and Eng and shortly
before the French surrender, it is
necessary to obtain Congressional
consent for the sale of fighting ships
because Of law passed in 1917 pro-
hibiting such sale of naval craft.
This law was used some tine ago by
Sh0Al iiaH w aASL VI liiE 2SHd1C ASasdi
Affairs Committee to bock the sale
Of number of new American tor
pedo boats to the English govern
ment. Those sponsoring the pro-
posed transfer of the destroyers
contend that the acquisition of such
ships would permit England to better
patrol the English Channel and help
stop the German invasion of the is-
land Kingdom, and insist that VIC
tory Or defeat for England may pos
sibly depend upon the action taken
In the matter. Those opposing the
sale Of such ships point out that
such transfer of American vessels
to Great Britain at this time would
be an overt act of war against Ger
many and might involve the United
States directly in the conflict. They
Il So insist that if the United States
is in danger of almost immediate in
vasion, as contended by Secretary of
War Stimson and Senator Sheppard
recently fairness to the American
people demands that such ships be
retained in the United States Navy
for the defense of this country.
As predicted some time ago, the
National Defense Program is not
making the progress the country was
lead to expect. The reasons there
fore are: first Of all, governmental
red tape and interference; the pres
ent tax avs are not conducive to
manufacturing plant expansion for
defense Or other purposes; and re-
strictive labor and other legislation
also are having detrimental effect.
However, the greatest reason for
slow progress is the failure of Army
officials to decide upon just what
is needed and to place orders there
fore. Late last week it was report
ed that out Of the new defense funds
voted by Congress not a single new
combat plane has been contracted
for; that gun production and artil-
lery orders are small; that only a
few tanks are being ordered; and
that other rearmament plans are
moving slowly. However, in the.
Navy-which is really Americas
first line Of defense-the situation
is brighter. A number of new
fighting ships have been contracted
for and American ship yards are
working at full speed
According to military experts it is
about an even money bettas to.
whether or not Hitler will attempt
to invade England this Summer. II
the invasion comes it will be within
the next two or three weeks, and
probably within the next few days,
as 1t is at this season of the year that
weather and ocean conditions are
be best for such an attempt. Many
military strategists believe that Hit
ler, realizing that an attempted in
vasion Of England would be most
difficult and costly affair, vii, at
Aea1pS 80 staSve out England BY