Evening star., 1941-05-13
New Solution
In Aid Delivery
Hinted by Knox
Will Find q Woy,'
Navy Secretary Tells
Military Engineers

The United States has made it's
choice and all that America is wait
ing for is the word to go forward,
Secretary of the Navy Knox told
the annual meeting of the Society
OF American Military Engineers last
night as he hinted of new steps to
come in the insurance of deliveries
of materials to Great Britain.
The Navy chief stated interna-
tiooal law does not recognize con-
voys as such and added that "it is
barely possible that under modern
conditions conveys are not the an
swer." This remark led to specu-
lation that the present system of
patrols by the Navy may be the
answer.
The decision we have to make is
for more than fundamentals" he
stated in touching on a possible new
solution to the destruction of ship
ments to the British. However, he
did not go into detail, though he
said the people of this country must
90 hard and straight thinking"
Predicts Solution. ..
Should there be a new solution
to get materials to Great Britain
We will find way" he declared to
an applauding audience in the May
flower Hotel
The cabinet member took to
task the appeasers of this country
and declared there are only these
ways open: 'We can bring against
the forces of those who imperil and
menace our way of thinking a force
which will defeat them: we can
eliminate all external interest of
any kind, and we can surrender
to the aggressor." Reviewing the
three points, he said, the county
must choose force.
In a direct slap at Chancellor
Hitler he declared the German
theology must be crushed, saving
the United States had committed
itself to an all-out assistance for
the form of government now fight
ing for democracy.
Warns Against Indecision.
The Navy chief warned that this
Nation must not take weak measures
but must be strong. To the present
time this nation has been character
fzed "by our indecision rather than
by force, but now we must meet the
problem forthrightly."
The British fight is partly ours,
he declared, and pointed to the
Iease-Lend Act as a means for the
British to obtain materials after
their credit had been pushed toward
exhaustion. In effect, he explained.
II the British we're unable to make
purchases here I'VE will give it to
you"
The Navy Secretary explained
that as the battle of the Atlantic
was going badly for the British,
this country took contral Of Axis
ships in our ports. This. e said,
was another indication of violent
choice. There is a bill in bngress
to make these vessels avail 5le."
Would Halt Defeatis
He called on the country make
our opposition felt"
'Defeatism must be halted" Mr..
Knox said as he recalled a trip to
the Middle West where public opin-
ion has changed recently.
Rear Admiral Ben Moreell, chief
Of the Bureau of Yards and Docks,
yesterday was elected president of
the organization. Other officers in
clude Rear Admiral L. o. Colbert,
first vice president; Col. William
Kelly, second vice president, and
the following delegates: Frederick
Hall Fowler, Col. E. S. Bres, Gano
Dunn. Maj A. c. Harper. G. o.
Sheriff. and 1t. Col. T. B. Parker.
Today the organization members
will watch operations at Fort Bel
voir, Va, including the construction
OF pontoon bridges, assault tactics
and fortification construction.