LITTLE SURPRISE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 April 1939, Page 8

LITTLE SURPRISE

AMERICAN REACTIONS DICTATORS BROUGHT INTO THE OPEN. ' ISSUE WITH DEMOCRACIES HEARER. (Received This Day, 11.38 a.m.) NEW YORK, April 28. An estimate of the popular reaction to Herr Hitler's speech cannot avoid mention of the umbrage felt, not only over his refusal to consider President Roosevelt’s proposals, but the manner in which he sarcastically imputed meddling upon the President’s part. Generally speaking there is little or no surprise, and those who object to President Roosevelt’s policy will tend to stress that he left himself open to the very sort of treatment which he received from both Mussolini and Hitler. Proponents of Mr Roosevelt's message take refuge in Ihe thought that Mr Roosevelt accomplished all he expected from it—namely, that the dictators place themselves plainly on record and Herr Hitler’s renunciation of the Polish Treaty and British naval treaty is instanced as a proof that Mr Roosevelt's message, far from beclouding the issue, has clarified it by forcing Herr Hitler more and more out into the open. The feeling persists that it is but another .development bringing closer an inevitable joining of issue between the dicta torsships and democracies. Administration leaders may use Herr Hitler’s reply as ammunition to secure discretionary power for the President in the impending neutrality legislation, the revision of which incidentally is being considered in Congressional hearings at present, taking place. It is fell that Herr Hitler’s speech may harden American opinion toward implementing Mr Roosevelt’s policy to aid the aggressed against aggressors with all means "short, of war. PRESIDENT WAITING. SEA CONFERENCE PROPOSAL DENIED. 'Received This Day, 12.20 p.m.) NEW YORK, April 28. President Roosevelt slept while Herr • Hitler was talking. It is expected that he will receive the official text of the

speech later in the day, when he will study it, but he is not commenting. President Roosevelt has issued a statement characterising the “New York Times” story of a peace conference at sea as: "Interesting and well written, but untrue.” OPINIONS IN CONGRESS. SLIM PROSPECT OF PEACE NEGOTIATIONS. (Received This Dav. 12.2.0 pro ) WASHINGTON. April 28. Congressional circles feel that although Herr Hitler’s speech might have been stronger, it has left only a slim prospect of peace negotiations. CHARGE DENIED THE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE. SENT TO HERR HITLER BEFORE, PUBLICATION. (Received This Dav. 12.fi p.m.) WASHINGTON. April 28. President Roosevelt’s secretary. Mr Stephen, takes exception to Herr Hitler's charge that the United States published the text of President Roosevelt's message before the Fuehrer received it. Ho says the message was cabled to Herr Hitler 1.31 hours before White House announced it. If, due to hi.-. absence at Berchtesgaden. Herr i Hitler not receive r it until after its ; i-üblii-..ti., i i, this was not the fault of i White 11,,use.