AGAINST ATTACK ON THIRTY STATES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 April 1939, Page 5

AGAINST ATTACK ON THIRTY STATES

MESSAGES TO HERR HITLER AND SIGNOR MUSSOLINI

World Conference Proposed on Armaments and Trade (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, April 15. In personal messages sent last night in identical terms, President Roosevelt asks Herr Hitler and Signor Mussolini to pledge themselves not to attack by force 01 arms any territory, colony or protectorate of some 30 independent States m Europe and Asia which are enumerated. ■ ; These messages lulve created a deep, impression in London. Simultaneously with their release for publication in Washington, a copy was supplied to the Foreign Office and by that department was communicated at once to Air Chamberlain at Chequers and to Lord tlati ax in Yorkshire. Significant passages in the messages include the following: “I previously approached you on the subject of the settlement of political, economic and and social problems by peaceful means and without recourse to arms, but the course of events appears to have brought bac the threat of armed intervention.

“If this threat continues, it seems inevitable that a great part of the world will be engulfed in the general ruin. The entire world—the victorious nations, the defeated nations and the neutral nations —will suffer. 1 refuse to believe that the world is necessarily fated to such a destiny. “On the contrary, it is clear that the leaders of the great nations have the power to free their peoples from imminent danger. It is equally clear that, in. their spirits and in their hearts, the peoples themselves desire that their fears should end. “It is, however, unfortunately necessary to take into account recent events. Three nations in Europe and one in Africa have seen the death of their independence. Vast territory in another independent nation in the Far East has been occupied by a neighbouring State. “According to persistent rumours, which we hope will prove ill-founded, other acts of aggression are reported to be contemplated against other independent nations. To speak clearly, a moment is approaching when this situation must end in a catastrophe unless a more rational method of managing events is found.”

ASSURANCES ASKED FOR. Proceeding, President Roosevelt asks whether Herr Hitler and Signor Mussolini . are willing to give assurances that their armed forces will not attack the independent nations which he mentions. “Such an assurance clearly must apply, not only to the present day, but also to the future sufficiently long to give every opportunity to work by peaceful methods for more permanent peace. I, therefore, suggest that you construe the word future to apply to a minimum period of assured non-ag-ression—lo years at least;, a quarter of a century if we dare look that far ahead. “If such an assurance is given I will immediately transmit it to the Governments of the nations named, and I will simultaneously inquire whether, as I am reasonably sure, each of the nations enumerated will in turn give a like assurance for transmission to you. “Nothing will persuade the peoples of the world that one Power has the right or the need to inflict the consequences of war on its own people and others unless it is defending its own territory. NOT IN FEAR OR WEAKNESS. “We Americans speak not in selfishness, fear or weakness, but as statesmen out of love for the human race. I have always been convinced that international problems can be solved round a table. You will not misunderstand the frankness in which I send this message. “The heads of Governments in this hour are literally responsible for the fate of humanity in the coming years and cannot fail to hear their peoples prayers to be protected from the unforeseeable choas of war. “History will hold them accountable for the lives and happiness of all, even the least. 1 hope your answer will make it possible for humanity to lose fear and regain security for many years to come.” The States named by President Roosevelt are: Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, Britain and Ireland, France, Portugal, , Spain, Switzerland, Lichenstein, Luxemburg, Poland, Hungary, Rumania, Yugoslavia, Russia, Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey, Iraq, the Arabias, Syria, Palestine, Egypt and Iran. President Roosevelt proposes that, if the assurances he suggests are given, two essential problems should be discussed in the resulting peaceful surroundings: First, measures for the progressive relief of the world from the crushing burden of armaments; and, secondly, measures for the opening up of the avenues of international trade to the end that every nation should be enabled to buy and sell on equal terms in the world market, as well as to possess an assurance of being able to obtain the materials and products of peaceful economic life. WAR EMERGENCY PROPOSAL BY BRITISH POLITICIANS. MOBILISATION OF NATIONAL RESOURCES. LONDON, April 15. Three members of the House of Commons, Lieut.-Colonel L. C. M. S. Amery. Sir Edward Grigg, and Lord Wolmer, are giving notice to move in the House on April 18: "That this House favours the immediate acceptance of the principle of compulsory mobilisation of the man, munitions and. money power of the nation.”