Regarding plans for the fortification of Guam, President Roosevelt pointed out that Naval Board's report included "Guam with fourteen other "urgent" projects costing a {otal of almost $400,000,000, Asked specifically whether he favoured fortifying Guam, he said he favoured beginning the dredging. operations immediately, He said he Was concerned at present not 30 much" with the long range. pro= gramme, but with the nation's actual immediate needs, He said changes world" events' in the next. year might make It possible to abandon the naval programme ay it stands today.
The President said the United States had not yet held any formal talks with Japan regarding" the forlifeation of Guam, and failed to indicate Whether" stich discussions were contemplated.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.