EARLY CRISIS

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20736, 21 February 1939, Page 7

EARLY CRISIS

ROOSEVELT’S HINT AMERICA SPECULATING AN ATTACK OF “JITTERS” (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 America is speculating as to the nature of the “ disturbing reports ’’ which led to President Roosevelt's hint that Europe is moving to an early crisis. A crop of ominous cables from Europe lending colour to the President’s remarks contributed to an unusually severe attack of ” week-end jitters.”

The President spoke extemporaneously, and the newspapers are carrying only third-person summaries of his speech instead of the customary official texts. After close questioning, the usual sources in Washington failed to produce evidence of any new turn abroad. Some quarters believe Mr Roosevelt merely wanted to stress that he is watching the situation closely and is obtaining full reports, although at sea. On the other hand, a responsible

authority said to-day that the hurried return to London of the American Ambassador, Mr J. P. Kennedy, was dictated more by President Roosevelt’s feeling- that matters were becoming tense than by any specific development. Mr Kennedy cut his vacation short by ten days, and he was closeted with Mr Chamberlain the day after his return. lie obtains fairly complete reports from Mr Chamberlain. MOVE AGAINST DICTATORS AMERICA’S VITAL CONCERN MR LA GUARD IA SPEAKS OUT (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) NEW YORK, Feb. 19 Addressing the American Legion at Little Rock, Arkansas, the Mayor of New York, Mr F. H. La Guardia, advocated selling to Britain and France all the aeroplanes they need and giving them a dscount. “ Let us make it clear we mean “ hands off the Western Hemisphere ” by an open declaration of our policy that we will pick our own enemies," said Mr La Guardia. “ The only way to escape international complications is to get off this earth. The United States was more detached from the European situation 20 years ago than it is to-day.” Mr La Guardia also advocated the selling of surplus American commodities to countries 44 who are trusted friends ’’ at a price they can afford to pay. He thought this would swing the balance of trade away from the dictator nations. NAZI VITUPERATION ATTACKS ON 'ROOSEVELT 14 THE CATASTROPHE POLITICIAN ” ■'.lndependent Cable) (Received Feb. 21, 1.30 p.m.) BERLIN, Feb. 20 Using the slogan “ Catastrophe politician ” the press and radio opened a smashing attack on President Roosevelt following mounting fury within official circles at the President’s latest 41 madman act ” suggesting an imminent European crisis may force him to cancel his Florida trip. “HITLER AN UPSTART” ATTACK MADE IN PARLIAMENT MEMBER RULED OUT OF ORDER (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Feb. 21, 2 p.m.) CAPETOWN, Feb. 20 The Speaker in the Union Assembly thrice ruled oi*t of order the Rev. Cadman, a Labour member, for criticising Herr Hitler, to whom he referred as an upstart and deplored the recent visit to him of Mr 0. Pirow, Minister of Defence.

“He is a person with whom I would not shake hands,” Mr Cadman said.