The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-05-09

ity of more airplane carriers, this type of patrolling can be most effective. But time is of the es- sencc. And the fate of Britain will not wait.
 In fact, confidential reports which the President has received from the U. s. observers abroad give an increasingly gloomy pie ture - unless the United States goes 8 lot further than the lend-leaSe bill. There are even some observers who urge an out right declaration of war in or- der to bolster British morale.
 Such a declaration, they em- phasize, would reverberate also upon the morale of the German people, who remember all too well what happened in the last war after the United States en- tered. The President does not go as far as these advisers, but he has been swinging around, at last, to outright and open con- voys.
 He continues to believe, more decidedly than ever, that the United States must preserve the British fleet aS the first line of American defense If 1t dOes not want to have Germany as q ncighbor in South America and around the Panama Canal. IRON PANTS" JOHNSON
 Chalk up another bonehead play for Major General Pa" Watson, most intimate White House secre- tary, for refusing to renew Gen. eral "Iron Pants" Johnsotl's re- serve commission in the Army. The move struck a sour note in the country.
 "Iron Pants" Is mercurial, crit- ical, frequently full of unadul- terated baloney. But as a soldier he Is loyal. and once called into service would have been more loyal than certain officers in the Army today who don't seem to care how much they criticize their cori- mander-i in -chief under their breath. What General Johnson says, at least he says in black and white.
 Major General Watson. who ap- parently took the initiative in firing Johnson, once was bawled out by the ex-NFSA chief and told that he should not have rated higher than corporal.
 NOTE - If General Johnson had been called intot he Regular Army he would have had to fore- go an annual salary of around $50,000 from his newspaper column which he said he was willing to do.
 AUSTRALIAN PRIME
 MINISTER
 Roosevelt probably can get more inside information from AuStra- Han Prime Minister Menzles, just arrived in Washington, than from any Of his own observers who have gone overseas.
 Menzies left Australia Tiorl than two months ago, flew to Egypt, spent some time in Libya, a week with Australian troops in the eastern Mediterranean, flew to England, and during the past six weeks has been in daily touch with Churchill and the war
 He has Q complete picture Of the shipping losses, the effect Of air raids, the chances Of British survival in the Mediterranean and an estimate of British chances for the future. Furthermore, he is likely to do more plain speaking to the American people than ail Englishman would.
 only 40 years old, Menzies has a reputation for fortnight speak. ing and 6 sharp wit. After the last election in Australia, Menzles was approached by 6 representa- tive of the opposition press, who said: "In selecting your cabinet, \ suppose yOu will go down to Mel- bourne tO consult the powerful he terests whi hcOnclrot"uoy. .. terests which control yOu." with . flash, Menzies retOrted: eyes. of course I shall. But please keep my wife's name out of pubs lic discussion" AFRICAN OUTPOST
 It hasn't been announced, but . direct radio circuit has been ss-