AMERICAN OFFER

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20109, 1 December 1939, Page 11

AMERICAN OFFER

AID IN DISPUTE USE OF GOOD OFFICES PEACEFUL PROCESSES AVOIDING CLASH ORecd. Nov. 30, 3 p.m.l LONDON, Nov. 29. A Washington message states that the United States Secretary of State, Mr, Cordell Hull, in a formal statement said that the United States Government was willing to extend its gOod offices in a settlement of the Russian-Finnish dispute. ‘This Government is following with serious concern the intensification of the Russian-Finnish dispute and would view with extreme regret any extension of the present area of the war. cohsequent on a further deterioration of international relations,” said iMr. Hull. “Without in any way becoming involved in the merits of the dispute and limiting its interest to a solution of the dispute by peaceful processes, the Government would, if agreeable to both parties, gladly extend its .good offices.” It is pointed out that Mr. Hulls statement was not sent either to Russia or Finland, and it is emphasised that it should not be interpreted as an offer to mediate, but merely an indication of the willingness of the United States Government to do anything in its power to avert hostilities. One official in Helsipki said that Mr. Hull’s offer came too late.

A message from Stockholm states that the United States Ambassador to Moscow abruptly abandoned a visit to the Swedish capital and departed hurriedly for Moscow,

The news that the American Government was ready to offer its good offices in the Finnish-Soviet dispute is welcomed by the British Government, which has always felt for its part that the dispute was not of such a nature as to justify either party resorting to Warlike measures. The British Government naturally hopes the offer will ibe accepted.