Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-02-01
Early Invasion
Predicted by
Halifax, Knox
BY CECIL b. DICKSON
Init New Service stan Correspondent

WASHINGTON. Feb. LORD
Halifax. the new British anbassa-
dor. and Secretary Of the Navy
Knox today predicted an early
attempt by Germany TO invade
England in urging speedy approval
bv Congress of President Roose-
yeits "all-out" British aid bill.
Lord Halifax told Chairman
George CD. Georgia. Of the Senate
foreign relations committee, that
Hitler probably would attempt an
invasion Of the British islands late
in February or early in March. II
was learned.
Secretary Knox predicted to the
Senate foreign relations committee
that the Germans would use poison
gas and that he expected a crisis
within 60 TO 90 days" in Europes
war.
SCOTS AT LINDY
In his testimony. Knox attacked
Col. Charles a. Lindbergh's COM
potency as an expert on foreign
policy and military strategy in
telling ~the committee that the
aviator's idea OF q stable negot-
-ated peace between Germany ann
England was one Of wild fancy.
II respect Colonel Lindbergh's
knowledge and ability In COM
mercial aviation" Knox said.
However, his experience in mill
tary aviation Il slight, and 1
consider that his statements on
the employment OF military
strategy as indicating slight
knowledge OF the subject"
Knox referred 10 Lindbergh's
testimony before the House for
eign affairs committee. in which
he said 10000 modern combat
planes with reserves, would be
adequate to protect the United
States, and declared that the
United States could not be in
vaded by Germany soon If Eng
land fell, II il did not have bases
in the Western Hemisphere.
OPPOSES CoNyoYs
Colonel Llndbergh's idea that
IL might be possible to effect a
stable negotiated peace in Eu-
rope IL wild fancy" Knox said, /
in deriding the aviator's knowl-
edge of foreign policy.
Secretary Knox was blunt in his
statements that the United States
would be endangered If the British
fall.
1--WE need time to get ready to Z
meet out at sea a strong agrees
sive Germa-'v II we are to keep
the fighting away from the
lands Of this hemisphere" Knox {
told the foreign relations COM
mittee.
The United States first will
have to fight for freedom of the
seas II Germany wins Europe's
war, Knox said. He asserted that
the United States may have TO go
farther than the lease-lend bill to
aid Britain, but he said he was not
ir favor Of conveys.
SPEAKS OF CALAMITY"
Knox revealed that conferences
have been held with the British
on American ships taking over GER
tain English trade routes out Of
the war zones to release vessels
20 use in transporting supplies 10
the English islands.
Knox appeared to impress the
committee with his assertion that.
this hemisphere is in grave dan
ger of invasion" by direct or
indirect methods and that il would
be "a calamity for US if Britain
is uprooted and replaced by
Hitler"
For many years 10 come. Knox
contended, the United States must
maintain large army and navy.
NEED BRITISH .HELP
Knox said he would favor going
to war to protect the freedom Of
the seas, but asserted I'VE are not
In war now"
The navy chief denied stories
that a trade of 20 destroyers for
the British battleship King George
v was pending. He said il was
'cockeyed story"
Knox read a statement 10 the
committee saying that the United
States would need the aid of the
British feet TO keep the oceans
free until our two-ocean navy was
complete in 1916.