SENSATION IN U.S.A.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 September 1938, Page 5

SENSATION IN U.S.A.

BRITISH PREMIER’S ACTION “BREATH-TAKING” SUPREME EFFORT TO AVERT WAR GAMBLE FOR HIGHEST STAKE NEW YORK, September 15. Mr Chamberlain’s step has caused a sensation here. The foreign diplomatic corps and high Government officials have been stirred profoundly by the bold plan for averting a German-Czech explosion, hailing it as the first ray of hope from the war-clouded skies. The “New York Times,” in a leader today, says any doubt that we live in times without precedent and are participants in a world drama of swift surprises, inspired by extraordinary personal impulses, is removed by the breath-taking decision by Mr Chamberlain to fly to Berchtesgaden and make a last appeal to Herr Hitler to save the world from war. “In the history of international relations,” contirtues the paper, “it has never happened before that in such circumstances the head of a great Government has gone personally to make such an appeal.” In the history of the British Empire, where the protocol is almost as important as the conviction of the supreme power which it frames, no Prime Minister has ever made a gesture so unconventional, so bold and, in a way, so humble. In a startling, almost literal sense. Mohammed goes to the mountain. “Either this dramatic impulse is a supreme stroke of imaginative statesmanship or a spectacular admission of desperation, viewed as a recognition by Britain of the power of the Third Reich and its leader. “The journey 'has almost incredible significance in the relations of the two Governments. If Mr Chamberlain’s mission should fail, the immediate consequences are not able to be predicted, but never will war guilt have been more firmly or dramatically fixed. Neither Britain nor the, Europe which the British have dominated will ever be the same again. “Viewed' as a final peace move and as a supreme effort to save mankind from the horror of another war, it takes on the epic quality of a magnificent gamble for the highest stake in the world. Thus the world can only wait in the hope that it will not be played in vain.,”

CORDIAL APPROVAL IMAGINATION OF AMERICANS STIRRED. SUSPICIONS BRUSHED ASIDE. (Recd This Day, 9.5 a.m.) NEW YORK, September 15. While President Roosevelt, spurred by events in Europe, hurried to Washington from a speaking tour, it became increasingly evident that not only did the United States public whole-heart-edly support Mr Neville Chamberlain s decision to visit Herr Hitler, but that no single action by Mr Chamberlain could be more likely to fire the imagination of Americans as a whole, brush aside their traditional suspicion of British motives regarding a prospective European war, shake their isolationist viewpoint and place them in receptive attitude toward backing up Britain’s effort to maintain peace in Europe and, if need be, an abandonment of their pacifist attitude the consensus of opinion seemed to be that it was a direct and blunt, almost typically American approach to the problem. The American attitude is aply illustrated by the action of the “New York Times” in altering its leader, in late editions, to state that if Mr Chamberlain’s mission failed, never would war guilt have been more firmly fixeffi That is the crux of the situation in America, where the man in the street often is ready to argue that the United States should never have entered the Great War, but now it is impossible for any American to doubt the British people’s sincere desire for peace and, Mr Chamberlain’s sudden decision has fired American imagination in a dramatic fashion, which could not be doubted by any observer viewing the thousands massed in New York’s Times Square, watching the electric sign carrying the news bulletins from Europe.

NOT TALKING. PRESIDENT CANCELS PRESS CONFERENCE. (Recd This Day, 9.20 a.m.) WASHINGTON, September 15. President Roosevelt has cancelled his regular Friday Press conference and is not commenting on foreign or domestic affairs at present. NOBLE ACTION MR MACKENZIE KING’S VIEW WARM APPROVAL EXPRESSED OTTAWA, September 14.

The Canadian Government has endorsed Mr Chamberlain's proposal to visit Herr Hitler. The Prime Minister, Mr Mackenzie King, in a statement today, said;— “I, my colleagues, and the Canadian people warmly approve of this farseeing and truly noble action. Direct personal contact is the most effective means of clearing away the tension and misunderstandings that have marked the course of events in Europe during recent months. Mr Chamberlain has taken emphatically the right step.” The Prime Minister added that he had conveyed the Canadian sentiments to Mr Chamberlain.

OPINION IN ITALY TRIBUTE PAID TO COURAGE AND DETERMINATION ROME, September 15. The news of Mr Chamberlain’s decision has been received with astonishment and admiration at his courage and determination. It is considered that the visit will either bring peace or precipitate a catastrophe, but it is generally felt that it will be an enormous service to peace. Sir Noel Charles, British Charge d’Affaires, today visited Count Ciano, Italian Foreign Minister, and discussed the situation. It is understood that Count Ciano’s views are encouraging from a British standpoint. Italian opinion is greatly impressed with the earnestness of the British Government.