HISTORIC SPEECH

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 January 1941, Page 5

HISTORIC SPEECH

ROOSEVELT'S MESSAGE TO CONGRESS DOWNRIGHT <£ DECISIVE. ENDORSED BY AMERICAN PEOPLE. ißy Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON. January 7. I’resuleni Roosevelt’s message to Congress is warmly welcomed in Britain, where opinion follows that expressed by ihe Canadian Prime Minister. .Mr Mackenzie King, who said that President Roosevelt’s speech will be viewed as historic and the mosi importani in his career, h was downright, direct and decisive. If any nation was in douhi it now knows where ihe Uniied Stales stands. The main body of American opinion is represented by the "New York Times." which says that there cannot be the slightest doubt that the course to which the President pledged the United States has the endorsement of the very large majority of the people. AXIS COMMENT CLOSE TO DECLARATION OF WAR.

LONDON. January 6

The morning papers in Berlin did not publish President Roosevelt's speech or comment on it. The first German reactions from authorised sources said that part of the speech was rather sharp. - The first impression in Rome political circles is that the speech was aimed to provoke the Axis to declare war on the United States. The Stefani news agency in Rome issued a 400-word summary without quotation. Informed quarters in Budapest said the United States was one step closer to war.

Diplomatic critics in Rumania express the opinion that Mr Roosevelt’s speech is so close to a declaration of war that the United States should henceforth be regarded as an active participant. CONGRESS PLEASED OVERWHELMING SUPPORT. SOME SENATORIAL COMMENTS. WASHINGTON. January 6. Congressional leaders were very pleased with President Roosevelt's speech. An analysis of the reaction to the speech indicates that Congress will probably approve the loan-and-lease plan, though its extent may bo contested. Mr Sam Rayburn and Senator Barkley both said. "The speech will have the overwhelming support of the American people," Senator Vandenberg called it "a strong plea for peace through war by proxy.” Senator Austin said it would "do much to crystallise harmony and unity in the defence

effort'* Senator Austin, broadcasting, said: “Americans will fight if entry into the war becomes the price of freedom. Let no dictator get the Impression that the Americans won't fight. Of course, they wit! not fight unless and until they have to. But they know the cost of freedom and are preparing to pay the cost If they have to.” JOHNSON ACT

INTRODUCTION OF REPEAL BILL. WASHINGTON. January G. Mr A.idia-w May, chairman of the House Military Committee, has introduced a BUI to repeal the Johnson Act. which prohibit.*? loans to countries which have defaulted in Ihblr Work! War debt payments. AERO ENGINEERS FURTHER LARGE CONTRACTS LET. WASHINGTON. January G. The War Department has awarded eantr.udx totalling 87.000.900 dollars, including 33 000.000 dollars to the Studebaker company for aeroplane engines. NAVAL air force ADDITIONS IN U.S.A. (Received This Dav, 9.45 am> WASHINGTON. January 7. Admiral Towers. Chief <>f Naval Aer<mautics told the House of Repreentativf-; Naval Committee that the k'avy expec'-. m add 4000 phmc.s to its • ‘rvng.h this year, milking « total of kiisi modern airvrtift. NO NEW SITUATION PERCEIVED IN GERMANY. . a . *1 This Dav. ft 15 a in • BERLIN. January 7. A:. - :.. : .'•.rd rirdesate withholding . mmi.rnt <•;; I ruilrr' R>*> ;cvrlf s :<> U .:n;rbut i»!.*llici.i! ■ ut-.s-- .: ,d .c.i '«•<! that th<- i-vcntiial . -■.i:,.-i.t ; : 4 .ib!;. b<‘ '.hat the L A*,;* h-.s ’.!'■<■ sama ax ’.,!<• dial, allhoimh pcr.'iap-; re f a*i official tcMurc, Im', not the M'uatloii.