Evening star., 1941-07-01
Knox Address Seen
Hinting al Change
In j. ). Naval Policy
Secretary Asks Use Of
Fleet Now to Clear Sea
Of Germun Menace
BS the Associated Press.

| VI SCi IJOit fVlSIdNC
b. the Associated Press.
Secretary Knox's call for inlmedi-
ate use of the United States Navy
ito clear the Atlantic of the German
menace" led the Capital to wonder
today whether he was limiting at an
important change in administration
policy toward Nazi sea activities.
The direct language the Navy
Secretary used in his speech at
Boston last night gave rise to the
belief in some quarters that a def
mite revision was contemplated in
existing naval strategy.
Secretary Knox, who addressed
the annual conference of Governors,
urged that the naval forces be used
to deal Hitler "a smashing blow"
even though it involved risk and
danger. Sacrifice to the ex-
treme. if need be, American
blood
The speech, it was generally
agreed here, went farther than Knox
or any other cabinet officer had
gone in any previous public pro-
nouncements. The only stronger eX-
pfessions on the subject in official
Washington have come from such
arden advocates of all-out aid as
Senators Glass, Democrat. of Vir-
/ ginia. and Pepper. Democrat. Of
Florida, who have urged that the
navy be ordered Ito shoot hell out
of German raiders.
Production Hits Stride.
! Some officials attached consider
able weight to the Knox statements
| because of the immediate war out
| look and the series of incidents af-
fecting the United States since Pres
ident Roosevelt reasserted the Ma
tions freedom of the seas doctrine
in his fireside chat May 81.
For one thing. they said. the pro-
duction of American armament in
| dustries has begun TO hit something
| like its stride and the volume of
supplies will grow rapidly in the
months Immediately ahead.
Those monthS-'vital months in
this crucial year" as Secretary Knox
phraSed it-may represent deci-
sive opportunity for Britain, If
Soviet Russia holds out, they added.
hence the need for seeing that all
the lease-lend supplies reach her as
soon as they are available.
They reasoned that the greater
the pressure Britain can apply in
other theaters of war. the better
Russian chances. Continued r. A.
r. onslaughts of greater intensity
in the west might force the recall
defense, thereby lessening the air
strength available against Russia in
the East.
Hit-and run descents by raiding
parties along the lengthy German
held coastline likewise could create
diversions calculated to keep the
Reich from reducing garrisons to
reinforce the army in Russia. One
military specialist did not rule out
coastal operations larger than the
hit-and-run variety.
New Urgency for Deliveries.
These considerations, it was said.
place new urgency on the need
for delivering the goods safely. 1t
was noted that while Mr. Knox and
several other cabinet officers pre-
viously have stressed the need for
delivering the goods. it was not
until last night that use of the Navy
was urged-not for conveying, but
for clearing" the Atlantic of the
German menace"
Discussing the general situation,
authoritative sources pointed out
that the issues involved in the
sinking of the American merchant
man Robin Moor have yet to be
settled to this country's satisfaction.
While the United States has not
lodged its formal protest on the
sinking with Berlin. both President
Roosevelt and the State Department
have condemned the "piratical' and
/ treaty violating conduct of the sub
marine involved. Berlin. mean
while, has unofficially taken the
! position that the submarine captain
was justified and that future sink
ings can be expected if Germany
considers the ships cargo contra
| band.
U-Boat Threat Held Possible.
Should the Reich formally enun-
ciate that policy, it was said, the
United States conceivably might
construe the German note as a
declaration OF unrestricted sub
marine warfare-the tactics that
hastened this country's entry into
the World War-and accordingly
adopt active counter measures.
When the Zamzam was sunk by
a German raider. it was recalled
that Germany upheld the sinking
as justified. although the Egyptian
liner like the Robin Moor belonged
to nation technically neutral.
Another sea war incident that
enters the general picture was the
ill-Starred foray of the battleship
Bismarck which carried her close to
Greenland, now under American
protection. There is still consider
able speculation as to what the
Bismarck's plans were before she
was intercepted and forced to make
the run for home that ended in
destruction.
Knox Sees Big Chance