WARM APPROVAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 April 1939, Page 5

WARM APPROVAL

PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT’S PEACE APPEAL LATIN AMERICAN SUPPORT GREAT ADVANCE SINCE LIMA CONFERENCE. PROBLEMS OF NEUTRALITY. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. WASHINGTON, April 16. The South American republics, which have been subjected to growing German and Italian influence, have rallied to the support of President Roosevelt’s dramatic peace appeal. Significantly Argentine, which hitherto has poured cold water on all propositions for solidarity in the Western Hemisphere, was the first nation to endorse the plea. The Buenos Aires newspaper, "La Prensa,” comments: "One-half of the world will not sit idly by and see the other half subdued by force.” The Secretary of State, Mr Cordell Hull, spent Sunday at his office studying the replies from a dozen American nations. The warmth of the responses, as well as the outspoken Press comment, indicate that the Western Hemisphere solidarity has advanced greatly since Lima. Persons close to the Administration here, however, doubt (whether Herr Hitler and Signor Mussolini will accept the President's terms. The appeal is interpreted as a genuine attempt to snatch Europe from the brink of war, as well as an adroit manoeuvre for placing the responsibility of war on the totalitarian Powers. PAVING THE WAY. Senator Pittman, chairman of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, and others expressed their satisfaction over the Latin American support. Senator Pittman said that additional support from the smaller European countries might lend considerable weight to a programme aimed at a round table settlement of international disputes. He added that it would be most surprising if President Roosevelt’s proposal was accepted instantly in toto, but the move might pave the way toward obtaining a basis for eventual negotiations for a peaceful settlement. Meanwhile the President’s appeal, coupled with the sudden transfer of the fleet from the Atlantic to the Pacific, is expected to intensify the Congressional fight for changes in the neutrality law, with the isolationists strengthening their demands for non-inter-vention. BREAK WITH TRADITION. Sizeable blocs of both Chambers feel that President Roosevelt has overstepped the boundaries of the tradi'L ional American policy of non-involve-ment. Congressional leaders allege that the President is seeking to create a war hysteria among the American people. Significantly, Senator pittman, in a broadcast yesterday, pleaded'' for a strict cash and carry neutrality law and spoke against the proposals to give the President discretionary powers to fix the extent of American neutrality. Senator Pittman said that such plans would invite retaliation and constitute a war threat to America. The Administration still maintains silence regarding the reasons for the fleet’s transfer. Naval officers privately described the move as political rather than strategic. The opinion is held in some quarters ' that the United States is playing a game of parallel power politics with England and France designed to implement, by sea the land encirclement of the totalitarian Powers. Senator King holds that the stage is set for a bold Japanese move into the South Pacific, probably against the Dutch East Indies and even the Philippines. OPINION IN BRITAIN DILEMMA FOR DICTATORS. VIOLENT CONDEMNATION IN ITALY. LONDON, April 17. The British Press, without dissent, extols President Roosevelt for his peace appeal to the dictators. The "Daily Herald” remarks that, if the dictators reject President Roosevelt’s offer and force war on the world, their long list of enemies certainly would include the United States. The Rome correspondent of the British United Press says that Signor Mussolini’s own newspaper, the "Popolo d'ltalia,” violently condemns the message and calls on all Italians to reject it, declaring “it does not clarify the international situation.” It is reported from Tokio that the Japanese vernacular Press asserts that President Roosevelt's message embodies only his personal views, which are not representative of American opinion. The appeal, therefore, can be ignored. WAR LESS LIKELY PRESIDENT PUTS DICTATORS “ON THE SPOT.” POWERFUL ACT OF POLICY. WASHINGTON, April 17. The South American republics and Canada tonight endorsed President Roosevelt's appeal. It is also learned authoritatively that the independent European countries which are more or less threatened by aggression informed the President of their support. The messages, however, have not been made public in order not to embarrass them. The widespread impression here that the plea has put the dictators "on the spot” is reflected in a declaration by President Arosamena of Panama that ‘jpnly minds set against the interests of world peace can formulate objections against the message.” The “New York Times,” anticipating the rejection of the appeal by HenHitler and Signor Mussolini, comments: "President Roosevelt's initiative can not properly be regarded as having failed if it has merely failed to achieve something unachievable. The dictators’ record is too full of broken promises for a pledge to keep the peace by either of them to alter the fundamentals of the present position. “There are more realistic standards by which to judge the results of the President's initiative. He sought to identify unmistakeably the in advance of a war and to rally world 'opinion on the side of the victims of

aggression. He has accomplished both purposes. Moreover, he may have made the outbreak of war less likely through his warning to the dictators that the risks' involved are greater than they may assume they are —the greater because the victims of German and Italian aggression can count on at least immense moral support everywhere throughout the world." The “New York Herald Tribune” comments: “It is not an accident that the President’s message was so worded that, if it is not accepted at its face value by the dictators, it will stand as an indictment of their policy, as a powerful act of diplomatic policy (backed up by the fleet’s recall) in cementing the Anglo-French coalition as a warning to the axis Powers and so as a practical contribution to the prolongation of peace by the only method (power politics) which the axis Powers have admitted to have validity. “It may not succeed. It involves a certain, though small, risk of a further American entanglement, but the maintenance of peace today is a matter of such importance to the United States, as also to the rest of the world, that some risks seem plainly justified. The President was at his desk in the White House throughout Sunday. The Secretary of State, Mr Cordell Hull was consulting with departmental officials all day, and is reported to have discussed the possibility of a Japanese move coinciding with European developments. High naval officers conferred at the Navy Department; where it is semi-officially confirmed that the fleet movement was a precautionary measure in. the light of the Far Eastern situation. HITLER TO REPLY BEFORE SPECIAL MEETING OF REICHSTAG. IN NAME OF GERMAN PEOPLE. (Received This Day, 10.20 a.m.) BERLIN, April 17. An official communique states that Herr Hitler regards. Pres-ident Roosevelt’s telegram as so important that he has decided to announce his reply, in the name of the German people before a special meeting of the Reichstag on April 28. FUEHRER’S BIRTHDAY. ALWAYS TO BE NATIONAL HOLIDAY. (Received This Day, 10.20 a.m.) BERLIN, April 18. A decree has been issued that HenHitler’s birthday is always to be a national holiday. “ACT OF WAR” MORE FASCIST PRESS ATTACKS. ROOSEVELT MESSAGE CALLED ATTACK. LONDON, April 17. Italian and German newspapers continue to attack President Roose velt. "11 Messagero” says:: "The message is part of the general attack by the democracies and should be considered as an act of war. An answer will be made in full accord with Berlin. The "Popolo di Roma,” alleging that France is preparing for a naval war, says: “The imposing strength of the FrancoBritish forces cannot frighten us.” A section of the Nazi Press suggests ironically that /Germany will perhap* .consider the offer if all the parties tc the proposed conference are willing to return the territories taken from Germany at the point of the revolver over the conference table in 1919. “EVIL DICTATOR” GAYDA PLACES ROOSEVELT. (Received This Day, 11.5 a.m.) ROME. April 17. Signor Virginio Gayda declares tha 11 Italy prefers to isolate President Roosevelt from the rest of Americans as an evil dictator.