AMERICAN COMMENT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 September 1938, Page 7

AMERICAN COMMENT

DENUNCIATION OF. BRITAIN & FRANCE SEEDS OF GREATER CONFLICT SOWN SOME TALK OF BETRAYAL NEW YORK, September 20. A survey of Press comment from all parts of the United States indicates a great strengthening of isolationist sentiment. It is generally felt that the l-ranco-British plan is merely an expedient to prevent immediate war, and that the seeds will be sown for a greater conflict. The opinion is also expressed that the stature of France and Britain has dwindled. This is accompanied by a plea that America should arm mightily to make the country self-sufficient an I able to remain aloof. Typical comment is as follows: The -‘Richmond Times-Despatch,” Vermont, says “ 1938 will mark the beginning of the end of the British Empire, France’s decline as a world Power and the rise of a German Empire far mightier than Charlemagne’s. Hitler’s contempt for the great democracies is justified. “War is terrible, but some things are worth fighting for. If the so-called realists are not willing to put up a battle for the preservation of liberty, they need not count on any help from us.” The “Chattanooga Times,” Tennessee, says: “Maybe mankind in future will forgive Czechoslovakia’s betrayal, but .it is clear that France and Britain have committed themselves to a policy certain to make them second-rate Powers. Besides the Czechs, millions who died in the Great War believing that they were saving democracy, have been betrayed.” The “Los Angeles Times” says: “The blunder will not avert war, but merelymake it harder when Germany ig more powerful. If France, Britain and Russia stood firm, it is extremely doubtful whether Hitler would have fought.” The “Portland-Oregonian,” Oregon, asks: “Was is necessary for Chamberlain personally to visit Hitler? A telegram saying ‘take what you want’ would have served the purpose.”

The “Washington Evening Star” says: “No nation that scuttles from a solemn pact can any longer aspire to the trust of others. Paris henceforth speaks with the authority of Monaco. The Maginot line has become a rope of sand.”

The “Desmoines Register,” lowa, is the sole paper taking the view that Hitler’s aggression will draw France, Britain and the United States together for an eventual line-up. It says that psychologically, the rape of Czechoslovakia is likely to be comparable to the sinking of the Lusitania. The “New York Daily News” suggests that Mr Chamberlain return to Herr Hitler the former German African colonies. It says that all of them, except German South-West Africa, are just a sop to British national pride, “but to Germany they would represent the glory on an empire regained. Mr Chamberlain would then have hostages to make Hitler reasonable toward England, with the prospect of the British Navy cutting off his colonies.” NOT INTERVENING PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT SILENT ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS AGHAST WASHINGTON, September 21. The United States has encountered nothing to alter its determination not to intervene in the crisis High officials said today that the situation was such that it was better for questions not to be asked. President Roosevelt declined to discuss the matter at his Press conference today. The Secretary of State, Mr Cordell Hull, was also silent. Administration officials, however, are saddened and aghast at what they term the breakdown of international law and morality in Europe. They said that the immediate result would be a certainty that the United States would see no similar collapse in this hemisphere. They will insist on Mexico’s recognition of the principle of prompt payment for seized foreign property. The Mexican Ambassador summoned by Mr Hull, later indicated that efforts were being made to devise a constructive formula to settle the question of the expropriated farm lands. The Committee for Concerted Peace Efforts has telegraphed President hoosevelt asking him to reaffirm his principle of industrial and financial embargoes against aggressors. The League of Nations Association has urged him to help Czechoslovakia, and the United Czechoslovakia-American Societies have asked him to assume world leadership in the crisis. Representative James Mead expressed the opinion today that the present time was opportune for the United States to take a lead in drawing up an agreement among the nations against aerial and naval bombardment of civilian populations. “ATTILA OF MUNICH” BRAZILIAN PRESS SARCASM RIO DE JANEIRO, September 20. Chagrin, disappointment and sarcasm are voiced by the Brazilian Press. One newspaper recommends the “Attila of Mun-'.h” for the Nobel Peace Prize. Others say that Hitler’s victory is democracy’s suicide. GOING BY AIR MR CHAMBERLAIN’S JOURNEY TO GODESBERG (British Official Wireless). (Received This Day, 10.17 a.m.) RUGBY, September 21. Mr Neville Chamberlain will be accompanied to Bad Godesberg by Mr Wilson Strang, Sir William Malkin, legal adviser to the Foreign Office and one of his private secretaries, Mr G. P. Humphrey Davies. The British Airways liner, in which Mr Chamberlain’s party will travel to Cologne established a record on Sunday, by flying from London to Stockholm in 4J hours. It will be piloted bv Commanders E. G. L. Robinson and U. D. King. ORDERS TO CHEERS HOLIDAY FOR COLOGNE WORKERS (Received This Day, 10.35 a.m.) COLOGNE, September 21. Employees in factories and offices in Cologne have been given a holiday and instructed to line the route and cheer Mr Chamberlain.