AMERICAN WATCH

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

AMERICAN WATCH

PRESSURE DENIED ROOSEVELT'S INTEREST PEACEFUL RELATIONS PERSONAL OPINIONS FEAR OF WIDER WAR : (Reed. Oct. 14, 10.15 a.m.) NEW YORK, Oct. 13. President Roosevelt at a, press con ference said that the American rep resentations to Russia of yesterda 1 were (merely tan. expression of interest. “I hope that nothing will b:' done to disturb the peaceful rein tions in the Baltic or the indepenc ence of Finland,” he said. He added that diplomatic action should not be construed in any wa; way as a pressure move by the American Government which, therefore, was withholding at present the text of the representations. They were in the form of a personal mes sage from the President addressed to M. Kalinin.'

Despite the visits by Scandinavian diplomats 'Mr. Roosevelt isaid that there was no suggestion of join'— action. The President’s message wsu inspired only by fear that the Baltic situation was heading for an exten sion of the war. ' President’s Decision The Washington correspondent ol the Ijlew York Times says that the decision to exert th einfluence of the United States on behalf of Finland was President Roosevelt’s own. which he reached after weighing the possibilities that the action could be ,mscu nstrued by Moscow, the Scandinavian., or the United States Congress.

I was hoped -that Russia would not construe it as unwarranted, that (he Scandinavians and other Powers would not believe. America was linking her fortunes with other countries and that Congress would not resent it as undue interference m tfuropean politics. The first reactions in Washington showed the latter fear was baseless. The New York Times, in an editorial, entitled: “We speak for Finland,” says: "The prompt and unusual diplomatic initiative of the United States on behalf of Finland reflects Uie unanimous sentiments of the American people. We cannot do more fur Finland. We could hardly do less ”