WAR BASIS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 May 1941, Page 6

WAR BASIS

COMMENT ON ROOSEVELT’S SPEECH APPROVAL AND SUPPORT IN U.S.A. HOPES RAISED IN CHINA. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright} (Received This Day. 12.45 p.m.) WASHINGTON. May 28. President Roosevelt intends to clarify his speech at a special Press conference today. It is learned that the President may soon establish a Ministry of Economic Warfare, under the emergency programme. The President’s secretary, Mr Stephen Early, said Ihe telegraphic and mail response to the President’s speech, pouring in throughout the day, had broken all White House records. Naval experts interpret the President's statement: “Britain will get the goods," as the signal for extended United States Navy operations in the Atlantic.

A majority of the American newspapers applaud the President’s speech and declare that it has finally put the United States on a war basis. The “New York Times” says: “The speech is a call to action and a challenge to Hitler. We are determined to put in the hands of our loyal friends the weapons of self-defence." The “Tribune”, says: “President Roosevelt made it plain that he proposes to wage war against Germany, Italy and Japan if he deems it necessary for the defence of the Western Hemisphere. He laid down a broad and solid foundation on which action may and should be taken. That action must follow.”

The “Detroit News” says: “President Roosevelt has declared war. Now America will discard her selfish ends and work for victory.”

Congressmen generally applaud the speech, but isolationists deplore it as a drift to war.

A Chungking message states that Chinese officials hailed President Roosevelt’s speech as one of the most important in the world’s history. It was reiterated that China was determined to continue her resistance until final victory.