"Problem XX" Scheme New York, Feb, 22.
The manœuvres being carried out at present by the United States fleet are not limited to the defence of the Panama Canal but are taking place Fast of the West Indies and include exercises for the protection of the entire hemisphere, the Miami correspondent of the "New York Times" reported today from that city temporary "headquarters" of the Administration during President Roosevelt's trip in the Caribbean on board the U.S.S. Houston.
A message to that effect was teceived by White House officials there from the U.S.S. Houston, and it was added that "Problem "XX" is being worked out at more than 2,400 kilometres west of Panama and, contrary to previous reports, does not merely consist of the Canal's defence.
"Guam Island is virtually important to the United States from a standpoint of myal and commercial avia tion," Mr. Vinson said. "Its strategic position makes it of inestimable value to the United States as a possible defence base which would act as a strong deterrent to any Asiatic Power contemplating a hostile move toward Hawaii or the American continent. Some day its security may be indispensable to the success of United States defensive operations."
The bill, which already has the overwhelming approval of the House Naval Affairs Committee, provides for he establishment of eleven major air bases in the Pacific, including extensive improvements in existing bases at Hawaii and in Alaska.
Mr. Vinson also defended the sale of American war planes to France and Britain "so they may not be destroyed by the Dictator Powers."
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.