AID FOR BRITAIN

Taranaki Daily News, 30 September 1940, Page 7

AID FOR BRITAIN

By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.

ALL MATERIAL SUPPORT INTENTION REAFFIRMED

Rec. 6.30 p.m. Washington, Sept. 28. THE Under-Secretary of State, Mr. Sumner Welles, in a foreign policy pronouncement at Cleveland, considered most significant in view of the Axis-Japanese alliance announeement, reasserted to-day 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 will be their successful defence against armed aggression." He issued a warning that the United States faced the gravest dangers of any time in its history and must continue in future, as in the past, to prepare for all eventualities and to arm with all haste and vigour to guard the New World from threatened danger. Simultaneously the United States must be ready, when the time came, to aid the construction of that kind of woild peace based on justice and law by which alone could United States security be fully guaranteed. Mr. Welles condemned Japan's 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," said Mr. Welles, "can be thus simply set forth:.(l) Complete respect by all Powers for the legitimate rights of the United States and its nationals aa stiptilated under existing treaties or provided in the accepted tenets of international law; (2) equality of opportunity to trade with 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 negotiations for such modifications and changes as are 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. There were many hundreds of violations of American rights, but no problems had Ijeen presented which could not be solved peacefully through negotiation provided there was a sincere desire on the part of all concerned to find an equitable solution that gave just recognition to the rights and read needs of all concerned. Mr. Welles praised the heroism of the British who were defending successfully their homes and liberties.

Long Known of Negotiations. Referring to the pact, the Secretary of State, Mr. Cordell Hull, said the new Axis alliance "makes clear for all the relationship which has long existed in effect. The United States has known for some time that an alliance was being negotiated. That fact was fully taken into account by the United States in the determination of its policies. The reported agreement does not substantially alter the situation which has existed for several years." Washington reports state that there are indications that the United States' answer to the Berlin-Tokio alliance may take the form of increased aid to Britain. Signs of this were multiplied during a series of important conferences. The British Ambassador, the

Marquess of Lothian, and Sir Walter Layton conferred first with Mr. Hull and then with President Roosevelt, whom Lord Lothian told. "Britain needs more of everything quickly." Later President Roosevelt conferred with defence chiefs and the Secretary' of the Treasury, Mr. H. L. Morgenthau, who is co-ordinator of United States and British arms purchasers. Later the Cabinet met. Lord Lothian revealed that he discussed the Pacific with Mr. Hull and considered problems relating to the establishment of United States teses on the sites leased under the deswpyer deal. Furthcr Aid Urged. President Roosevelt received a delegation of 87 representatives from all parts of the nation who urged further immediate aid to Britain. The spokesman of the delegation stated later: "We were enthusiastically encouraged." The first reaction at Washington is to intensify defences. especially the twoocean navy, and- strengthen the outlying defences of the Pacific and the Atlantic. Most observers at Washington doubt that the pact will influence Britain and the United States. and they also doubt that the pact will have any imrnediate physical resulis because the three Powers are fully occupied already. Because of the limited achievements which the pact could produce immediately some believe that it was designed partly to bolster up the morale of the three countries, where the quick victories anticipated have not materialised. Meanwhile many observers express the opinion that the ultimate and most important result might be the encirclement of Russia. leading the Soviet seriouslj and promptly to consider cioser association with Britain and the United States.