ONLY ONE POWER

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20068, 14 October 1939, Page 5

ONLY ONE POWER

UNITED STATES POSSIBLE MEDIATOR BERLIN INDICATION ROOSEVELT RETICENT NO OFFICIAL ADVICE (Reed. Oct. 14, 10.30 a.m.) LQ3*n*ON, Oct. 13. The Berlin correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain reports that Dr. Dietrich, the Nazi -'•press chief, after a conference with Herr Hitler early this morning, declared that only one Power, the ' United States, could yet intervene to. prevent a major western war. ■He added that even now, Herr Hitler would delay the order for a big western offensive if any indication were forthcoming that President Roosevelt would intervene. England was relying on the support of the ' United States, 'but the United States could end the war if she unequivocally told Britain that she would not support her unless efforts were first made to reach a settlement at the council table. Dr. Dietrich said that Germany hitherto had not attempted to display her air prowess in the west. He recalled that in the attack on the Polish city of Modlin 800 power-diving bombers were unleashed. A similar number operating against British ships could do untold damage.

A message from New York states that at a press conference, President Roosevelt declined to comment on Dr. Dietrich’s statement, saying that it was without the official word of the German Government, t ~

The Washington correspondent of the Associated Press of America, states that the {German suggestion that the United States of America should advise Britain to meet Germany in conference found the capital apparently convinced that the step diplomatically would toe impossible until and unless formal requests for such a move were made. The fact that the latest German suggestion had been voiced by the Nazi press chief instead of the previous indirect method of comment in the controlled German press made little impression on Washington officialdom.

There is reason to believe even should Germany submit the suggestion through formal diplomatic channels, additional steps would be necessary before the United States would undertake mediation. It was assumed that the United States would first sound out privately the 'British and French Governments before accepting any peace-making roles. It was authoritatively pointed out that the United States Government was always ready and willing to help Europe reach a general understanding on economic and disarmament questions, but did pot intend being drawn into European political disputes.