Arizona Daily Star from Tucson, Arizona • Page 1

WEATHER An Independent NEWSpaper Printing the Nevs Impartially Yes. Tr. Ago 101 92 et- OS- ill F. o- 60 a.m.. p--.

4 S3 26 36 PRICE FIVE CENTS FOURTEEN PAGES Entered is second-class matter. Post Office, Tucson. Arizona TUCSON, ARIZONA, TUESDAY MORNING, SEPTEMBER 17, 1940 Thickening Weather In Britain Forces Germans PRESIDENT SETS. OCT. 16 AS DAY OF REGISTERING Selective Service Act Is Signed and Peacetime Draft Becomes Law Shorten Night Raid JAPANESE MOVE ON INDO CHINA BELIEVED NEAR French Officials Admit Privately That Pact Is Being Negotiated CHINA MAY INVADE Hanoi Sources Say Only U.

S. Action Could Halt Nipponese HANOI, French Indo-China, Sept. 16. (P) France was believed in well-informed quarters here tonight to be in imminent peril of losing French Indo-China to Japan. French officials admit privately that negotiations already approved in principle by Vichy and Tokyo are likely to result within a few days in an agreement pprmitting Japan to establish perhaps troops on Indo-China soil.

Authoritative French, Japanese and foreign sources say this may prompt China to send her own soldiers across the colonial frontier and precipitate a conflict which might mean the beginning of the end of France's 00-vear rule of this East Asian territory of 230,000 square miles. Only U. S. Can Halt In all quarters, official and civilian, the conviction is expressed that only the United States could prevent Japan from gaining a possibly imshakeable hold, hut fear of arousing Japanese feelings has prevented Indo-China authorities even from soliciting such aid. French sources said a mission had been sent to the United States last July, but that both it and the government here had failed to obtain warplanes and other material sought in the United States.

The French military command holds that the Colonv's 20.000 French and 100,000 nat'ive troops have enough artillery and light arms to offer formidable resistance to any land attack but, with onlv handful of warplanes, virtually no anti-aircraft equipment and only half dozen warships, could not withstand a full force invasion. Bombing Danger Seen The population of 26,000,000 natives normally is submissive to French rule informed sources say, however, heavy air bombing would shatter morale and give agitators, already in touch with the Japanese, an opportunity to foment dangerous anti-French feeling. Chinese representatives here declare Chungking will fulfill its announced determination to move Chinese armies across the French Colonial frontier as son as Japa nese forces cross it, no matter under what pretext. The French consensus is that the colonial administration has maintained its connection with the Vichy government because of its financial support and the hope that French leaders there could prevail on Germany to mitigate Japan's ambitions. ALMAZAN'S RETURN HOME IS REPORTED MEXICO CITV.

Sept. 16. (JV) A responsible official of General Juan Andreu Almazan's political organization said tonight he had received unconfirmed word from associates in San Antonio, Texas, that the independent claimant to the presidency had arrived in Mexico. This official said he was informed only that Almazan now was "somewhere in the north." Political observers expressed the opinion that if Almazan actually had crossed the frontier from the United States, where he has been v' 'ling, it might signify swift developments in his political strategy. Almazan has reiterated frequently his determination to be Mexico's next chief executive, but the government recognized Congress has formally proclaimed that General Manuel Avila Camacho, administration candidate, is 14 4nOMQfrtt, NEW SPEAKER of the house is Samuel Rayburn, majority leader, elected to succeed the late Speaker Bank-head.

HOUSE MOURNS FOR BANKHEAD Imp ressive Services mark Rites-in Chamber; Sam Rayburn to Succeed WASHINGTON, Sept. 16. (A) Escorted by President Roosevelt and sorrowing congressional colleagues, the body of Speaker William U. Bankhead was being taken tonight to his home town of Jasper, for burial tomorrow. Official Washington gathered in the chamber of the house of representatives at noon for brief, impressive funeral rites over the flower-covered casket of the late speaker.

Half an hour before the services the house elected majority leader Sam Rayburn of Texas to the speakership by acclamation. Then, with Senator Pittman Nev.) president pro tempore of the senate, Rayburn presided over the funeral ceremony. Family Attends Throughout the service the President solemnly watched the gray casket. Behind him sat Mrs. Bank-head, heavily veiled; Senator John II.

Bankhead and Colonel Henry M. Bankhead, brothers of the speaker; and the speaker's daughters, actress Tallulah and Mrs. Eugenia Hoyt, both in black. Members of the cabinet and diplomatic corps and Associate Justice McReynolds of the supreme court, also attended. The galleries, to which admission was by special card, were packed.

The Rev. James Shera Montgomery, chaplain of the house, offered the Rayburn told the funeral com- J- iiy wiiii me miow leue vi punr limitations to follow in the footsteps of one as great and fine." Praised by Martin Republican leader Martin of Massachusetts said of Bankhead "A fine life is ended," he said. "A great American has passed on to the reward that comes for a life of -service." As a mark of respect the house and all committees adjourned until Thursday and the senate recessed until Wednesday. Sixty-four members of the house and 2'J senators were designated as the congressional escort to Jasper. Services will be held there tomorrow in the Methodist church of which Bankhead was a member.

Bankhead, who succeeded the late Joseph Byrns of Tennessee as speaker in 1936, died early yesterday at Naval hospital of a ruptured abdominal artery at the age of CO. NAZI BOMBS KILL LONDON FIREMEN LONDON, Sept. 17. (Tuesday) (P) Bombs hurled on central London by German warplanes early today killed a number of firemen who were atop high ladders battling a great blaze set by earlier raiders. Other bomb-set fires flared in a fashionable residential quarter.

The pre-dawn raiders came back in thickening weather which had forced abandonment of their previous attack. Roosevelt a a NO. 261 POLICIES AGGRESSOR, fflLLRIE AVERS indicate Strikes Hard at ckof Trust of People gy the President LAIMS FAITH LOST Lerican Democracy Seen fjjrjgngerea as ijxecuuve Holds All the Reins "HFFEYVILLE, Sept. jjf) Asserting that the ijcess, Wendell L. Willkie Untied today that Presi- Roosevelt's reelection bring totalitarian gov-l-nent to the United States the tnira xerm enaea.

fte Republican presidential sneaking in the citv he taught high school history 913.14, accused tne aammistra- 3 of materially assisting inner He atrsrressive plans." vnirpd a denial "that Frank- Ljoosevelt whatever his inten ds is tne ufifiiufi ui and saia: charge that his influ- has weakened, rather than Igt-thened, democracy inrougn- the world. ind secondly, I charge that here America he has strained our suocratic institutions to the taking point. -if because of some fine speeches Ufflt humanitv, you return this nnrlpr an Amprirsn to- 5-SCIIUl, l'farian government before the -j third term is finished. Greeted by Cheers rrntie reached the park, which Itu jammed with shirt-sleeved men ai lith women in summer tYies, just in time for the He had ridden through the sets of the community wnere ne ie lived, and stopped at one to greet his former landlady. Jcrowd at the park was singing Heigh.

Ho, Willkie," when the vim and his wife reached the takers' stand. As the song ended, 3 audience burst into cheers. Walter Johnson, a former Cof-7Tille resident, who became fa-toas as the "Big Train" of base-il and who now is running for 3gres3 in Mar land, introduced 7e nominee, beginning his ad- said Johnson had been his Fhood hero and still was. Expressing the belief "Franklin msevelt has lost faith in the sdcan people," "Willkie contin- 1j "When I read of blood and de- action in Europe I am frighted to think that our only shelter Hiot airplanes and tanks but a jnwho in seven years of peace wnf oof faptArioc rirnHurini? iiiU UUb ft'-1' w.w-0 3 peacetime needs." Repeated Cliarges Tie candidate reiterated state- made to Illinois audiences tarday that Roosevelt, "by his meddling in international itics, encouraged the European "For instance, lie torpedoed the JKaon economic conterence in ill at the verv time when the 'Hnocracies were ready to come on a strong, united eco- 3Hic policy. "And he wa? the godfather of jtunhannv mnfprpnpp at Munich -'ie conference from which the Iwl 'appeasement' was born the Terence from vhich Hitler went fJi to destroy the European fflocracies." Willkie did not amplify his men's of the Munich meeting.

Regarding the German attacks on adon, the candidate said: "A Tlhilnsnnhi- i in flames. hi of life is in peril. And I won- wnat stands between us ana calamitv px-rpnt. a smooth ra- voice offering us the gold brick without sacrifice. Ill 1 I'Although our cities are not in es, American democracy is in i35er.

It is in danger from with- and from within TVii: is our of America." i-niess a President trusts the never be able to defend our-from threat of aggression." doubt in the President's has so weakened this country Roospvolr ic Vipintr nnshpd I -ive against his will toward un- tutional government. is being pushed by the for- (Continued to Page 4, Col. G) BRIDGE DAMAGED BY FIRE I Locales, Sonora, Sept. A bridge on the main P. of the Southern Pacific of railroad, GO miles south of near Querobabai, Sonora, was by fire todav.

Inroad officials said they had 'earned the cause of the fire, i-foot bridge spanned a deep I A train i 1 1 v. 3 Pm. for Mexico Citv was ea held until tomorrow. A from jiexico City had been t0 reach here tomorrow Pa- Sept. -pi, troni her father's state in Washington, Tallulah daughter of the late Of thp nlavprl thp role in "The Little" Foxes" her tonight.

She untied to four curtain calls. .99 Tucson Guard Units Take First Step On Way to Year's Work About 300 local Arizona Xa-tional Guardsmen, called up for a year's active army training, assembled at the armory yesterday morning and marched to Randolph park, where they will occupy empty CCC camp barracks prior to departure for Fort Sill, Okla. Capt. Jonathan H. Michael, in command, said provisional plans call for arrival of the Arizona guard delegation at Fort Sill by next Monday, September 23.

The date of departure has not been set. During the week's interval, Michael said, guardsmen will re-ceive physical examinations and immunization for typhoid fever and smallpox, uniforms will be issued, and there will be some basic training in drill and marksmanship. Through a recruiting office at Stone avenue and Broadway, an effort will be made to bring detachments to full strength before they entrain. Openings were listed as follows: Second battalion, headquarters detachment, 15 men; Company 15; Com-pany H. 40, and medical detach-ment, 35.

Michael asked that visitors to the camp park their cars at the east side of the municipal ball park and walk to the barracks. HULL DEFENDS FDR'S REMARKS Secretary of State Answers Willkie Charge; Record Tells of Messages WASHINGTON, Sept. 16 (TP) Secretary Hull asserted today that Wendell Willkie's recent remarks about President Roosevelt and the Munich conference showed the Republican nominee was "grossly ignorant of the history of the last few years." Willkie had said at Joliet, 111., Saturday that Roosevelt had "telephoned Hitler and Mussolini and urged them to sell Czecho-Slovakia down the river at Munich." Later his press secretary, Lem Jones, said Willkie had "misspoken" and that he intended to say that the President had urged a settlement at Munich and that the pact reached there "agreed to sell Czechoslovakia down the river." No Telephone "The President has never communicated by telephone with either Premier Mussolini or Chancellor Hitler," Hull replied in a statement. "All the President has ever urged upon the nations involved has been in accordance with the provisions of the Kellogg pact which provides for pacific solution of controversies as they arise." Hull asserted that Roosevelt, in September, 193S, had "specifically urged in messages made public immediately that a peaceful solution be found through negotiations in which all the nations involved would be represented, including Czecho-Slovakia, and that such negotiations be undertaken by all nations on an equal basis with none of them under the threat of. aggression." It was the second time the secretary of state, had sprung to the defense of the administration against Republican campaign attacks.

Last month in another statement he replied to criticism of the reciprocal trade agreements voiced by Senator Charles L. McNary in accepting the Republican vice-presidential nomination at Salem and condemned the farm policies McNary advocated. HULL REPLY BASED OX VARIOUS MESSAGES WASHINGTON, Sept. 16. MP) Secretary Hull's reply today to Wendell Willkie's assertions about the part President Roosevelt took in the Czecho-Slovakian crisis before the Munich conference in 193S was based on the following messages from the President to European statesmen and made public soon afterward: 1.

An appeal to President Benes of Czecho-Slovakia, Chancellor Hitler and the prime ministers of Britain and France on September 24, saying, "I earnestly appeal to you not to break off negotiations looking to a peaceful, fair and constructive settlement of the questions at issue," and that "so long as negotiations continue differences may be reconciled." 2. Instructions on September 27 to American diplomats abroad to inform other governments throughout the world of the President's appeal and expressed the belief that comparable messages from them might be helpful. Confidential Appeal 3. A personal and confidential appeal to Premier Mussolini on September 27, informing him of the President's earlier action and asking whether he would not also extend his help in the continuation of. efforts to arrive at an agreement by negotiation or by other pacific means rather than by a resort to force.

4. A further appeal to Chancellor Hitler the night of September 27, saying "in my considered judgment and in the light of the experience of this centurv, continued negotiations remain the only way by which the immediate problem can be disposed of upon any lasting basis." To Field Marshal Goering Reports Making Trip Over England BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS BERLIN, Sept. 16. Announcement of a flight over London by Reichsmarshal Herman Wilhelm Goering, personal director of the air seige of England, gave dramatic emphasis today to a heightened tempo of daylight raids on the British capital. Goering's trip, which authorized quarters said was made last night in one of Germany's biggest and newest which he piloted himself, shared interest with diplomatic developments which many observers believed might soon bring Spain into the war as an ally of Germany and Italy.

Landing back at his headquarters in an undisclosed village in Normandy, northwestern France, Goering was quoted as saying: "I am glad I made my air force such a strong weapon. It was the decisive force in Poland and Norway and undoubtedly it will play a Fimilarlv decisive role In the war with England." Goering In Command Goering. a World War ace and former commander of the Rich-tofen circus, has leen in personal command of the aerial assault on England since September 8 by direction of Adolf Hitler. Meanwhile, the arrival of Ramon Serrano Suner. brother-in-law of Spain's Generalissimo Franco, for conferences with Hitler and foreign minister Joachim von Rib-bentrop was seen as indicating that Nationalist Spain is on the eve of some special understanding with the Rome-Berlin axis.

Serrano Suner, Spain's interior minister, conferred today with Von Itibln-ntrop and will see Hitler tomorrow. (London sources well-versed In Spanish politics declared the minister's trip to Berlin to be highly significant in view of Italian pressure on Spain to permit passage of Axis forces across Spanish territory for an attack on British-held Gibraltar. These informants predicted an imminent shakeup in the Madrid government.) Great Importance Seen The visit was explained officially as for the purpose of exchanging views with Nazi authorities on government administrative methods. However, the fact that he was welcomed at the station first by Von Ribbentrop and not by Interior Minister Wilhelm Frick, although Frick was present, gave evidence that there was something of greater importance behind his trip. The presence of the Italian charge d'affairs at the railway station also indicated that something of major import was in the wind.

Dienst Aus Deutschland, officially inspired commentary, declared great weight was attached to the conversations, timed "to coincide with the approaching crisis in the military conflict of the Axis powers with Britain." Serrano Suner told interviewers that Spain's present status is one of "non-belligerence," but that she "has a mission in Europe's new-order, with consideration for natural rights arising from our traditional and geographical situation." "No one should be surprised," he added, "if Spain, in this hour, is seeking the company of peoples who have been sacrificed to the same injustices as we." The Nazi press attacked the Swedish government and press charging that certain Swedish newspapers deliberately Insult Germany. In the battle for England, the high command reported the Nazi air force was pressing home continuous attacks especially in the London area despite increasingly stiff resistance from London's defenders. board area. The national priority list will be furnished to the local boards and the corresponding order of selection will be entered on the registration cards in their custody. The priority established by the drawing will determine the order in which questionnaires will be mailed to the registrants.

Upon receipt of these questionnaires the registrants will enter on these forms pertinent facts on the basis of which their final classification will be determined. Advisory Boards There will be organized in every community in our nation advisory boards for registrants, composed of patriotic citizens, civilian volunteers, to assist registrants in presenting fairly the facts to be used in determining the place of each individual in the scheme of national defense. After the return of these questionnaires, the local board, after due consideration, will place the registrants in one of four classes. In Class I will be those who are available for immediate service; in Class II, those who are deferred (Continued to rage 4, CoL Attack On London Ends Three Hours Ahead Of Usual Time LONDON, Sept. 17.

(Tuesday) fP) Thickening weather on which Britons long have counted as an autumn ally forced the German air raiders early today to break off an intensive night bombing attack on London three hours ahead of the usual quitting time. By 2 a. the steady procession of raiders, which had brought out the heaviest anti-aircraft fire vet heard in the Ixmdon area, thinned Qut to wcasionai droning motor and sporadic lomb blasts. At 2:11 a. the all clear sounded.

One great fire broke out in central but it was quickly controlled. The alarm, which began In the foggy dusk at 8:09 p. m. yesterday, was marked by a steady procession of Nazi planes more numerous than lxi-fore, but it ended after Eix hours and 32 minutes second shortest of the 10 consecutivt night raids on the British capital. During the same period the Germans struck extPnMvely in the midlands, the northeast and else-uhere in England.

The British, having withstood and cross-channel shelling from cxprcssea convic tion that their own heavy bomb blows on the continental coast had set back Adolf Hitler's proposed invasion plans. liaid Was Hot Fight While it lasted, the German night raid was a hot fight. Anti-aircraft shells burst above the low clouds which concealed the invading planes and dimmed the moon over London. A number of houses suffered hits from the high explosive and incendiary bombs in the midlands, where one German plane fouled a balloon barrage cable and crashed. The night's battle In London be.

gan the moment the evening alarm sounded. Immediately, anti-aircraft batteries roared into a fuil-throated, earth jarring chorus. Bombs dropping in one area proved a thudding overtone to the bark of the guns, A second heavy salvo cf bombs followed the first, falling in the same area, after the other lot detonated with a roar that rumbled tne darkened metropolitan area. Anti-Aircraft Bur Within a few minutes fearch- shts ptabbed the skies, and ami- aircraft batteries flung up hun- dreds of shells. Ambulances with sirens moaning raced through the streets.

Drew Middleton, Associated Press reporter, was describing the bombing of a central London neighborhood when a high explosive projectile landed just outside an apartment he was visiting. The blast crashed over the telephone like a thunderclap. Middleton said anti-aircraft shell splinters were falling all around the apartment. Other Germans dropped Incendiary bombs while flying across a northern industrial belt. Fire damage was reported in that sector.

Weather Is Worse Meanwhile, the weather on the channel coast, from which an invasion attempt likely would come, Iwarae worse as the night wore on. Mist turned into fog. the moon was blotted out and the ea became Choppy. The" apartment In which Franklin C. Gowen.

second secretary of the S. Embassy, was spending the night was shaken by two bombs exploding perilously close. One guest in the apartment which Middleton was visiting was blown across the room by the blast of the high explosive bomb which Middleton estimated to weigh between 5oo and J.tO0 pounds. It just missed a shelter. The raiders apparently were fly (Continued to Page 4, Col.

2) ITALIAN DRIVE IN EGYPT CONTINUES ROME. "Sept, Italian forces driving into Egypt paradoxically a country with which Italy insists she is at peace were reported today to have broken through the first major line of permanent British fortifications facing the Libyan border. A high command announcement that the advance is "continuing" was augmented by newspaper advices of the break-through south of Salum, Egyptian port of the Mediterranean which fell to the Fascists Saturday night. The high command also reported that Italian bombers attacking in waves repeatedly hit the supply organization of an "important place in Egyptian territory" and overtook an armored division and destroyed many units. The Italian air force has stepped up its attacks on Salum, Mersa Matruh and Sidi Barrani in the last 4S hours, the high command said.

(British military authorities at Cairo acknowledged the Italians, heavily pounded by the R.A.F. and British armored cars, had pushed into the village of Buqbuq. a port, 23 miles east of Salum. llubuq is on the coastal road leading to Alexandria, British naval base 200 miles farther to the east. The War At A Glance By THE ASSOCIATED TRUSS BATTLE OF BRITAIN' Nazi bombers fiercely attack London for tenth Mraight night after Reichsmarshal Goering makes survey flight over besieged capital and expresses confidence in role played by his air force; British admit Sunday night casualty list greater than recent tolls, but claim 185 Nazi planes to Iheir 25, and assert IMF counter-attacks on Nazi Invasion bases so heavy that Hitler must postpone direct invasion project.

SPAIN" AND AXIS Visit to Berlin of Serrano Suner, brother-in-law of Spain' Generalis- klmo Franco, indicate possibility Spain i on eve of tonie understanding with Germany and Italy. British source may Italy has been exerting pressure on Spain to allow transmit of troop for land attack on British Gibraltar. DESERT WAR Italians, driving over 25 mile into Egypt from Libya, claim to have broken first major British fortifications line; British claim they are inflicting heavy casualties and cles-trojing Fascist supply lines through air attacks. OKIENT Informed sourc es Hanoi, Frenc Indo-China. believe France is in imminent peril of losing that territory to Japan through agree.

ment allowing Jap troops to land ther for attack on China. China readv to send own troons into area should that happen. SINO-JAPWAR CLIMAX NEARS Hitler Forces Nippon's Hand to Crush Foe; China Is Ready By ROYAL ARCH GUNNISON HONGKONG. Sept. 16.

(NANA) (By Air Mail The war between China and Japan will come to a climax within a few weeks cor-1 tainly before winter sets in accord- ing to the best-informed military authorities here. This information if based on careful study of Japanese military and naval activities which include troop and supply movement? over! the vast front across south China trom canton to jianm in jnao- China; and even to the Burma Road with extension to Siam. One Good Victory seasoned authorities who The gave me this information believe the Japanese in unmistakable internal straights due to a growing economic pinch at home and unrest in the fipld in China desire to make a great 1940 push before weather conditions prolong the campaign through another bitter winter. They are represented as wanting to produce one good victory for strengthening home morale. Japan Is held to be following Chancellor Hitler's tactics against England as the type of strategy to be used against the southern provinces of China in a flanking movement to cut China off from Indo-China.

Burma and Singapore. "Strike before autumn is over," is the order being passed along the Japanese official lines. From different sources, doubtlessly authoritative, I learned that the Japanese "plan to shoot the works" in an attempt to consolidate for the winter; to placate dissatisfaction at home ith the army campaign, both officially and among the people; and to try to force the Chungking government of Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek into negotiations for a Japanese-inspired peace. Throughout this trip of Inspection of the war effort and defenses of the south Pacific nations from New Zealand and Australia to the Netherlands Indies, Singapore. Hongkong and the Philippine Islands, I've heard the report that Japan wants to find a "way out of the incident with China that will save Japan's face, but will permit Japan to reorganize and rehabilitate her troops and navy for bigger things." Japanese) Goals What are these bigger things? Ferhaps some of the present Japanese troop and ship movements indicate what is in the mind of the "new order" in Japan's military and naval-dictated government.

1. The Japanese will press particularly hard for the continuance of the agreement with the British which closed the Burma Road to all but necessary supplies for the populace. This agreement terminates soon. The Burma Road was a great source of military supply for China. 2.

The Japanese will use every argument possible, even to including force, to obtain the facilities of the French-owned railroad line, extending from Indo China into Yunan. The control of this rail line would mean much to them. 3. The Germans and the Japanese may even arrive at a point of delicate diplomacy regarding the question of hich nation will control the destiny of the resource-rich area of Indo-China. Already the Japanese are putting pressure on the French representatives of the Vichy government to permit the use of the Yunanfu railroad and to permit a line of march across Indo- (Contlnued to Page 4, CoL I 16,500,000 AFFECTED Governors and Patriotic Citizens Are Asked To Cooperate WASHINGTON, Sept.

16 President Roosevelt signed the draft act today, fixed Oct. 16 as registration day for 16,500,000 young Americans now subject to compulsory military training, and asserted the United States was marshalling its strength to avert "the terrible fate of nations whose weakness invited attack." In addition, the chief executive called upon the governors of the states to provide suitable places for the registration, urged local election officials "and other patriotic citizens" to man the registration boards and asked employers to give their affected employees "sufficient time off" to present themselves and fill out the forms. Volunteer Clause Roosevelt, moreover, emphasized a section of the act and a phase pf the building up of the army which received much discussion in Congress the voluntary enlistment system. All between, IS and 33, inclusive, he said in a formal statement, will be offered an opportunity to volunteer for a one-year period of service and training, and those who offer themselves provided they are suitable are to be accepted before any others are selected. Thus an influx of volunteers from any particular area would reduce the quota of men conscripted from that area.

Selected by Lot The new law itself requires that all who on Oct. 16 have attained the 21st anniversary of their birth and have not passed the 36th year must register. A national drawing by lot will determine the order in which questionnaires will be mailed to the men. On the basis of the questionnaires, local boards will place the men in various classifications those available for immediate service, those deferred because of dependents, etc. The local boards will select sufficient men from among those available for immediate service to fill the quota for the area.

Those so selected will undergo physical examinations and, if they pass, will be inducted into the service for one year. Signing of Bill Roosevelt signed the bill, seated at a table in the spacious cabinet room. Behind him, stood Chairman Sheppard (D-Tex.) of the senate military committee, and Chairman May (b-Ky.) of the corresponding committee of the house. Secretary of War Stimson and General (Continued to Tage 4, Col. 1) KNOX SAYS FLEET HAS LEFT HAWAII SAN DIEGO, Sept.

16. (JP) Col. Frank Knox, secretary of the navy, said that the first contingent "of the U. S. fleet left Hawaii today for the Pacific coast.

Two other contingents of the fleet, numbering approximately 30 vessels each, also will return to -the mainland, Knox said. Each contingent will remain two weeks for overhaul of the ships and to provide the navy personnel with shore leave. The secretary said he believed about 100 navy vessels would return from Hawaii and that "30 or so" would constitute each of the three contingents. The second will leave Honolulu after the first returns from the mainland, and the third departs for the Pacific coast upon the return to the islands of the second group of ships. President On Ope WASHINGTON.

Sept. The statement issued today by President Roosevelt upon signing the conscription bill and fixing October 16 as the registration day, follows: America has adopted selective service in time of peace, and, in doing so, has broadened and enriched our basic concept of citizenship. Besides the clear democratic ideals of equal rights, equal privileges and equal opportunities, we have set forth the underlying other duties, obligations and responsibilities- of equal service. In thus providing for national defense, we have not carved a new and uncharted trail in the history of our democratic institutions. On the contrary, we have merely reasserted an old and accepted principle of democratic government.

The militia system, the self-armed citizenry with the obligation of military service incumbent upon every free man, has its roots in the old common law. It was brought to this continent by our forefathers. It was an accepted institution in Colonial days. At the time of the adoption of the federal constitution, nine of the thirteen states Issues Statement ration of Selective Draft Plan explicitly provided for universal service in their basic laws. Early Day Situation In those days, little was required in the way of equipment and training for the man in arms.

The average American had his flint-lock and knew how to use it. In addition, he was healthy, strong, and accustomed to hardship. When he -eported for mibtary duty, he brought with him his musket and his powder horn. His daily life inured him to the rigors of warfare. Today, the art of war calls for a wide variety of technical weapons.

Modern life does not emphasize the qualities demanded of soldiers. Moreover, behind the armed forces, we must have a munitions industry as a part of an economic system capable of providing the fighting man with his full requirements of arms and equipment. Many individuals, therefore, may serve their country best by holding their posts on the production line. The object of selective service is to provide men for our army and navy and at the same time disturb as little as possible the normal life of the nation. Selective service consists of four steps, which singly and in the group, have been developed to operate with the fairness and justice characteristic of free, democratic institutions.

These steps are: registration, classification, selection, and induction. Wednesday, October 16 has been set aside, on which day every male between 21 and 35, inclusive, will be expected to report to a neighborhood precinct to fill out a registration card and a registration certificate. The certificate issued to the individual will be carried by him as a testimonial to his acceptance of the fundamental obligation of citizenship. The registration card will be forwarded to the county clerk or similar official and will be delivered by him to the local selective service board. These boards, consisting of three men, each appointed by the President, upon recommendations of the state governors, will be set up in more than 6,000 communities.

When the states notify the national director of selective -service that all of the local boards have completed this work, a national drawing by lot will determine the order of priority of the registrants in each local.