ALL AID FOR BRITAIN

Southland Times, Issue 24244, 30 September 1940, Page 5

ALL AID FOR BRITAIN

UNITED STATES POLICY MR WELLES CONDEMNS JAPANESE CONDUCT USE OF FORCE IN FAR EAST (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received September 29, 7.30 p.m.) CLEVELAND, September 28. The Under-Secretary of State, Mr Sumner Welles, in a foreign policy pronouncement which is considered most significant in view of the tri-partite alliance announcement, reasserted the United States 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 to be their successful defence against armed aggression.” Mr Welles warned the United States that it faced the gravest dangers of any period in its history and must continue in the future, as in the past, to prepare for all eventualities and arm with all haste and vigour to guard the New World from the threatened danger. Simultaneously, it must be ready, when the time comes, to aid in the construction. of that kind of world peace based on justice and law, by which alone could united 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 primary requirements in the Far East, he said, could be simply set forth as follows:— (1) Complete respect by all Powers for the legitimate rights of the United States and its nationals as stipulated under existing treaties or provided in the accepted tenets of international law. (2) Equality and opportunity to trade for all nations. (3) Respect for international agreements and treaties concerning the Far East to which the United States is a party, although with the expressed understanding that the United States is always willing to consider peaceful negotiation for such modifications and changes as may be considered necessary in the light of changed conditions. Mr Welles said that in an endeavour to create a new order in Asia Japan had relied on armed force and made it very clear that she intended that Japan alone should decide the extent to which the historic interests of the United States and the 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 had been presented which could not be solved peacefully through negotiation, provided there was a sincere desire by all concerned to find an equitable solution giving just recognition of the rights and real needs of all concerned. Mr Welles praised the heroism of the British in defending successfully their homes and liberties.