U.S.A. ATTITUDE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 March 1939, Page 5

U.S.A. ATTITUDE

PRESIDENT’S REPORTED DECISION AMBASSADOR NOT RETURNING TO BERLIN. GERMANY MAY BREAK OFF RELATIONS. WASHINGTON, March 18. A high official of the State Department told a correspondent of the British United Press that, though the Administration had been considering returning the American Ambassador, Mr Wilson, to Berlin as the result of Germany’s recent acceptance of the international refugee plan, in view of Herr Hitler’s invasion of Czechoslovakia, President Roosevelt had decided to keep Mr Wilson in the United States indefinitely. Germany's termination of diplomatic relations with the United States is not considered altogether unlikely as the result of Mr Welles’s statement. This official expression of sentiment unquestionably reflects American opinion, but cannot be said to have clarified the public viewpoint concerning the course of action in which the United States can participate and which will materially aid the democracies and halt Herr Hitler’s progress. Congressional opinion is hardly unified concerning the neutrality modifications which would implement President Roosevelt’s desire to aid the aggressed against the aggressors.

NOT UNDILUTED GAIN COMMENT ON GERMANY’S ACTION. HOPE OF TRADE AGREEMENT ‘ SCUTTLED. NEW YORK, March 18. “It must be clear to Germany even in her heady hour of triumph that an easy conquest does not constitute undiluted gain,” says the “New York Times” in a leading article. “Germany must reckon with Mr Chamberlain’s rebuke, which is as severe as the United States’ condemnation. “Germany’s action scuttles beyond all possibility of revival her longcherished hope of a trade agreement with the United States, and in all likelihood will cause an amendment to the Neutrality Act to assure Britain and France the right of purchase in American markets in time of war of weapons for self defence.”

FIRST POSITIVE STEP PENAL DUTIES ON GERMAN GOODS. VIRTUAL EXCLUSION FROM MARKET. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright. WASHINGTON, March 19. The Government took the initial step in carrying out President Roosevelt’s warning that there were methods short of war in dealing with aggressors byapplying couuntervailing duties on imports from Germany tyhich become effective on April 22. The tariff will be 25 per cent in addition to the normal duties, which will virtually shut out Germany from what is normally her largest overseas market. The State Department is also drafting a Note to Berlin reasserting its condemnation of the German absorption of Czechoslovakia and declining to recognise the legitimacy of the occupation. Meanwhile, Herr Hitler’s latest venture and Mr Chamberlain’s abrupt change of front have worked a startling reversal in the attitude of Americans generally who are now not onlywilling but eager that the United States should assist the democracies to hinder the dictatorships in any manner short of war. The latter stipulation remains—the Americans have not abandoned their isolationist attitude insofar as going to war is concerned—but it is a change of heart which is certain to strengthen President Roosevelt’s hand in the guiding of foreign policy. Moreover, it will immeasurably 7 strengthen the position of the European democracies, which, according to all the indications, can now count on American assistance in every way short of actual physical participation if and when a final showdown with Herr Hitler occurs.

NEUTRALITY ACT AMENDING RESOLUTION. ACTION BY SENATOR PITTMAN. (Received This Day, 9.5 a.m.) NEW YORK, March 19. Herr Hitler’s inescapable demonstration that he never had any intention of keeping the Munich Pact has awakened Americans to the gravity of the European situation and the true nature of the German menace. Senator Pittman, Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, has announced that he is introducing on Monday a resolution amending the Neutrality Act, to permit export of arms and munitions to belligerents in war time, on a cash and carry basis. “Herr Hitler has confirmed his deception of Mi- Chamberlain,” Senator Pittman commented, “and made clear his fanatical ambition to dominate everywhere that conspiracy and military force will permit. It is evident that, in acting for our own defence in the most serious situation which we have ever faced, we must not delay in preparations for potential political and physical action.” > The New York “Herald-Tribune,” in a leader entitled “Hitler’s Poor-House Grows,” says: “Suppose Herr Hitler is able to establish a German Empire extending from the North Sea to the Black Sea, Germany may then find herself in much the same position as in the early part of the Great War, when, although the frontiers extended as they had not since the Napoleonic era, in the end an economic blockade brought German resistance to an end. History is repeating itself and the moral seems clear.” AMBASSADOR DEPARTS. (Received This Dav. 9 50 a.m.) LONDON, March 19. The German Ambassador to London, Herr von Dircksen. has left fur Berlin.