QUIET DISMAY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 September 1938, Page 5

QUIET DISMAY

OPINION IN THE UNITED STATES FEARS THAT HITLER HAS WON VICTORY FRENCH LABOUR LEADER’S APPEAL TO PRESIDENT WASHINGTON, September 20. Returning from a Labour’ conference in Mexico today, M Leon Jouhaux, leader of 5,000,000 French workers, waited on President Roosevelt and pleaded with him to convene a world peace conference. M Jouhaux expressed the opinion that President Roosevelt was the only man with sufficient international prestige to make one possible. The President, however, continues to maintain silence. M Jouhaux later declared that French Labour will demand that the Chamber of-Deputies repudiate the* Czechoslovakian dismemberment plan. After conferring with President Roosevelt today, Mr Mcßeynolds, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said that there was no reason for calling a special session oi Congress. The relief felt in the capital city at the prospect of .avoiding war is mixed with a quiet dismay that Herr Hitler has won a diplomatic victory. It is felt that he will continue along the path of aggression through armed threat. The reaction in Washington is similar to the “let-down” feeling in February last when Mr Eden was resigned and Britain recognised the conquest oi Ethiopia. Just prior to that, the United States, with Britain, had been admonishing the aggressors and mustering moral sentiment against their acts. Neither the White House nor the State Department wishes to pass moral judgment on Britain. Mr Chamberlain’s willingness to make the broadest concessions after- first opposing them has led to the feeling that, if America had said anything, she might “be out on a limb.” There is no slackening in the attitude of aloofness. Addressing the American Legion convention at Los Angeles today, Senator Walsh advocated the United States building up the world’s most powerful navy, and commented that the most striking lesson of the present war spirit was that weakness encourages aggression. He added that the navy must be backed by a policy of rigid neutrality and complete suspension of trade with all belligerents. “Meddling with Europe’s explosive rivalries is inviting disaster,” he said. “We have no preordained mandate to police the world.” LOSING CONTROL AMERICAN ON BRITISH ACTION NEW YORK, September 20. Returning to Massachusetts from Europe today, Professor J. Anton de Haas, Professor of International Relations at Harvard University, said: “Britain is not only selling out Czechoslovakia for the sake of temporary peace, but is striking at the existence of her Empire. She is losing control over Asia Minor and ultimately of India.” CZECH DEFENCES QUESTION OF FRONTIER FORTIFICATIONS STAFF LIKELY TO OPPOSE TRANSFER (Received This Day, 10.55 a.m.) LONDON, September 20. I Official circles fear that the Czech General Staff is unwilling to approve of handing over £40,000,000 worth of ; fortifications in Sudetenland, and may revolt against the Czech government if , the Anglo-French plan is accepted. ;