SEEKING PEACE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 28 April 1939, Page 5

SEEKING PEACE

GREAT BRITAIN’S POLICY ENDORSEMENT OF ROOSEVELT INITIATIVE. READINESS TO PARTICIPATE IN CONFERENCE. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY. April 26. Replying to a question in the Hous.* of Commons today as to whether the Government would supplement the initiative of President Roosevelt’s recent appeal by announcing its desire to contribute to the solution of international and economic problems on a peaceful basis, Mr Chamberlain said: "I arn glad of an opportunity of making it clear that the Governmen is in sympathy with all attempts to se cure agreements for the limitation oi armaments and to open avenues for international trade and improved eco nomic intercourse. "In this connection I may call attention to the fact that the Government is negotiating with certain foreign Governments and that a trade delegation from Finland is now in this country, and it is hoped to receive a similar delegation from Sweden. The House is aware that a trade delegation from.this country to Rumania has just reached Bucharest. “We are always ready to consider any proposals that may be brought forward for the better distribution of raw materials, but there is practically no restriction in the case of the British colonial empire.” Answering another question as to whether the Government accepted President Roosevelt's invitation to participate in a world conference and whether it remained the policy of the Government to discuss all outstanding questions between itself and the German Government as part of a general settlement, Mr Chamberlain said: “Though the British Government has not received a specific invitation from President Roosevelt, it has made it clear that it would warmly welcome his initiative and would certainly be ready and willing to participate in any such conference.” Replying to the second part of the question, Mr Chamberlain said that the Government would be ready to take part in any discussions with Germany with a view to a general settlement whenever it felt such a discussion would be welcomed and likely to have useful effects. MEETING EVADED BY GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER. ambassador given free HAND. Bv Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright. LONDON, April 27. “The Times” says that owing to the inability of the British Ambassador in Berlin, Sir Nevile Manderson, to arrange a meeting with Herr ' von Ribbentrop, German Foreign Minister, the Government has now instructed him to use his own discretion as to whether or not he make a further attempt. german troops MASSING ON BELGIAN FRONTIER. CONSTANT WESTWARD MOVEMENT. LONDON. April 26. The Cologne correspondent of “The Daily Telegraph” says that a constant westward movement of troops and artillery has been observed in the last 24 hours. Concentrations are believed to be particularly strong as far as the Belgian frontier, opposite Eupen and Malmedy. NAVAL MOVEMENTS GERMAN AND OTHER SHIPS. MEDITERRANEAN PATROLS. (Received This Day, 9.55 a.m.) GIBRALTAR, April 27. The German warship Graf von Spec and also a destroyer depot ship and six submarines have arrived at Ceuta, and the Deutschland and two destroyers have arrived at Malaga. The cruiser Koeln has arrived at Algerciras. The British warship Ramilles left here this morning and will be joined in the Mediterranean by the destroyers Active and Gallant. Two French battleships and two destroyers remain at Gibraltar. It is understood that eleven other French vessels will be among arrivals in the middle of the month, fot patrolling the Mediterranean. JAPAN’S POLICY . REPORTED DECISION. UNWILLING TO ACT AGAINST DEMOCRACIES. (Received This Day, 9.55 a.m.) LONDON, April 27. The Tokio correspondent of the British United Press says that, according to official sources, the Premier, Baron Hiranuma, is summoning the Italian and German Ambassadors to announce that Japan is unwilling to embark on a policy against the democracies. ONLY AGAINST RUSSIA. PROPOSED LIMITATION. (Received This Day, 10.15 a.m.) TOKIO. April 27. Baron Hiranuma’s confidantes report that he is willing to stake his Cabinets fate on his determination not to involve Japan in a broad antl ’^. emO p™’ tic policy, agreeing to an Italian-Gei man-Japanese military alliance only if it directed exclusively against Russia. ?hL does not suit Germany but Japan will broaden the scope in the cvent °* other Powers rorming an alliance with Russia menacing Japan. JUTE FOR SANDBAGS. GERMANY BUYING ON RISING MARKET. (Received This Day. 10.40 a.m.) LONDON. April 27. Germany is a heavy buyer of jute, presumably for sandbags, at iisin?, prices.