AMERICAN POLICY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 259, 30 September 1940, Page 7

AMERICAN POLICY.

MORE AID FOR BRITAIN

CLEVELAND, Sept. 2S. The Assistant-Secretary of State (Mr Sumner Welles), in a foreign policy pronouncement considered most significant in view of the Japan-Axis alliance announcement, reasserted the United States’s intention to “render all material support and assistance in the form of supplies and munitions to Britain and the British Dominions in what we hope will be their successful defence against armed aggression.” He issued a warning that the United States faced the gravest dangers of any in history and must continue in future,- as in fine past, to prepare for all eventualities and arm with all haste and vigour to guard the New World from the threatened danger. Simultaneously they must be ready wheiq the time came to aid in the construction of that kind of world peace based on justice and law, by which alone couid United States security be fully guaranteed.

Mr Welles condemned the assault on Indo-China as a threat to the colony’s integrity, contrary to Japan’s promises to respect the status quo. “The United States’s primary requirements in the Far East can be thus simply set forth,” he said. “First, complete respect by all Powers for the legitimate rights of the United States and its nationals as stipulated under the existing treaties, or provided in the accepted tenets of international law.

“Secondly, equality of opportunity to trade with all nations.

“Thirdly, respect for international ' agreements and treaties concerning the far East to which the United States is a party, though with the expressed understanding that the United States will always be willing to consider i peaceful negotiation for such modifica- , tions and changes as may be considered i necessary in the light of changed coil- 1 ditions.

Mr Welles said that in her endeavour j to create a new order in Asia, Japan had relied on armed force. She had made it very clear that she intended that Japan alone should decide the j extent to Vhich the historic interests of the United States treaty rights of Americans in the Far East should be observed. He added that there had been many hundreds of violations of American rights, but no -problems were presented which could not be solved peacefully through negotiation provided there was a sincere desire of all concerned to find an equitable solution giving just recognition to the rights and real needs of all concerned. Mr Welles praised the heroism of the British in defending successfully their homes and liberties. ATTENTION TO DEFENCE.

The first reaction in Washington to the new alliance is to intensity the defences especially, the two-ocean navy, and to strengthen the outlying defences in the Pacific and the Atlantic. There are indications that the answer of United States to tie alliance may take the form of increased aid to Britain, signs of which have multiplied during a series ot important conferences. The British Ambassador (Lord Lothian) and Sir Walter Layton conferred first with the Secretary ot State and then with the President Mr Roosevelt subsequently conferred with the defence chiefs and the. Secretary of the Treasury, who is the coordinator of the arms purchase plan between the United States and Britain. Later Cabinet met. , i. Lord Lothian revealed that ne had discussed the Pacific with Mr Hull, and that they had also considered problems relating to the establishment of United States bases and' sites 4 leased under the destroyer deal. Mr Roosevelt received a delegation of 87 from all parts of the nation urging further immediate aid to JJrir ain The spokesman of the delegation stated later: “We were enthusiastically encouraged. . ‘ , : Most observers in Washington dotibP that the pact will influence Britain and the United States and also doubt that the pact will have any lmpiedia physical results, since the threfe signatory Powers are fully occupied already.,. Because of the limited achievements which the pact could produce immediate! v some believe that it, was designed partly to bolster up the morale of the three countries concerned 'where the quick victories which, were anticipated have not materialised.

See “Japan and Axis”—Page 2,