ROOSEVELT BLUNTLY WARNS DICTATORSHIPS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 February 1939, Page 5

ROOSEVELT BLUNTLY WARNS DICTATORSHIPS

Continued Reports of Disturbing Nature

CRUISE THAT MAY BE CUT SHORT WESTERN HEMISPHERE. AGAINST UGLY TRUCULENCE OF AUTOCRACY By Telegraph. —Press Association. —Copyright. NEW YORK, February 19. Before sailing on the cruiser Houston from Key West (Florida) today to watch the great peace time concentration of American naval and air power on manoeuvres to test the United States’ life-line, President Roosevelt again pronounced a warning to the totalitarian Powers. The President reminded them of America’s interest in the continued political independence of the world democracies, adding that disturbing information continued to be received from the international ffont which might cut short his fortnights cruise. He bluntly warned aggressor nations that the Americas were uniting in "common aspiration to defend and maintain their selfgoverning way of life." He called on all countries of the western hemisphere “to lift democracy high above the ugly truculence of autocracy.” In his demeanor: as well as his words the President displayed obvious concern over the possibility of a new international crisis. It is understood that he has received reports that the European democracies are facing a threat of aggression. , . -

He did not give any details of the “continued reports of a disturbing nature,” but it is understood that he was informed that demands are being forced on the democracies "other than through diplomatic channels.”

President. Roosevelt then strongly reinforced his pledges to pursue his goodneighbour policy. He pledged himself to co-operate in any effort “honestly put forward to limit armaments. There was a flurry when secret service agents spotted a stranger moving furtively in the underbush near the presidential train because of an attempt made on President Roosevelt s life in Florida in 1933. Patrolmen rushed to the spot and secret service agents doubled,their guard round the train. Local police perched on the top of telegraph poles directed a fruitless hunt for the man. The authorities finally concluded that he was merely a sightseer who had evaded the police cordons. Altogether 140 ships and 600 planes will be engaged on the manoeuvres which the President will witness till March 5, simulating an Atlantic attack on the Panama Canal and efforts to ward it off. On the results of those manoeuvres may hinge the decision whether to build a supplementary canal across Nicaragua or additional locks in the Panama Canal for diverting ships if the existing locks are destroyed. The House of Representatives has already approved a Bill' to increase the land forces in the canal zone.