THE ATTITUDE OE AMERICA

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20916, 22 September 1939, Page 8

THE ATTITUDE OE AMERICA

MR ROOSEVELT’S PLAN

REPEAL OF EMBARGO DARKER PERIOD PROBABLE KEEP OUT OF THE WAR (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Sept. 22, 3.15 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Sept. 21 At the reopening of Congress President Roosevelt urged the repeal of the embargo provisions of the Neutrality Act and a return to the principles of international law In trading with belligerents. He proposed that after repeal there should be:— (1) Authority to fix war zones in which American merchant ships may not enter. (2) Broader authority to "prevent nationals from travelling in belligerent ships or danger zones. (3) Belligerents purchasing commodities from the United States must take the title thereto before shipment. (4) A ban on war credits to belligerents. Mr Roosevelt pointed out that his first, second and third objectives could he achieved either by act of the Congress or executive proclamation. The fourth could be achieved by maintaining existing provisions or a proclamation notifying American citizens giving credit to belligerents that they would not be protected against loss. He added that Congress should make its own choice of the method whereby the safeguards were to be . attained. Purchases Made in Cash The result of the last two provisions would be that all purchases would be made in cash and cargoes would be carried at the purchaser’s risk in the purchaser’s ships. Mr Roosevelt proposed that after the enactment of this programme the Congress adjourn, subject to recall In the event of war or developments requiring attention. “These perilous days demand co-operation without a trace of partisanship,” said Mr Roosevelt. “Acts must be guided by one single, hardheaded theught—keeping America out of the war. “I cannot offer a hope that the shadow will pass swiftly. A darker period may lie ahead. The disaster is not of our making. No act of ours has engendered the forces assaulting the foundations of civilisation, yet we are affected to the core. The currents of commerce are changing and our minds are filled with new problems. Our position in world affairs has altered.” The Road to Peace The President urged that the proposed amendment offered greater safeguards than were now possessed or were ever possessed to protect American lives and property. it was a positive safety programme and meant less likelihood of incident and controversies tending to draw the United States into the war. Therein lay the road to peace. Mr Roosevelt added that, having striven and failed to avert war, he was not losing any time in an effort to prevent the United Slates from involvement. He predicted success in this direction. “I regret that the Congress passed the Neutrality Act and regret equally that I signed the act. I give you my deep and unalterable conviction that by its repeal the United States will more probably remain in peace than if the law remains. “Fate seems now to compel us to assume the task of helping to maintain in the western world a citadel in which civilieation can be kept alive, regardless of party. “The mantle of peace and patriotism is wide enough to cover all. Let no group assume the exclusive label of a peace bloc, to which all belong.” He urged that those seeking to retain the embargo be consistent and seek legislation to prevent the sale of copper, meat, wheat, cloth and a thousand other articles to the belligerents. Traditional Policy Reversed Mr Roosevelt said the enactment did more than merely reverse the United States’ traditional policy. It put land Powers on the same footing as naval Powers as far as seaborne dommerce was concerned. A land Power threatening war was thus assured in advance that its prospective sea power antagonist would be weakened through denial of the ancient right to buy anything anywhere. This gave an advantage to one belligerent not because of his own strength or geographic position but through affirmative action by the United States. The removal of the embargo merely reverted to the sounder international practice of pursuing in wartime, as in peacetime, ordinary trade policies. It would put the United States back on a solid footing of real traditional neutrality. Dangerous to American Peace Recalling his speech in January, the President declared that the essentials for American peace had not changed since then, therefore he asked for a re-examination of legislative action in respect to that part which was inconsistent with ancient precepts, because ho believed that it was vitally dangerous to American peace neutrality and security. Opposition to President Ten Republican, four Democrat, two Farm Labour and one Progressive Senators met before the session to organise opposition to Mr Roosevelt. They included Senators La Follette, Borah and Yandenburg. Mr Cordell Hull said the lifting of the arms embargo would not be unneutral. On the contrary it would constitute a return to neutral position under the international law from the unneutral position in which the Neutrality Act had placed the United States. lie asserted that the United States had a right lo change its neutrality policies, regardless of the attitude of the blligerents. The Senate adjourned until September 25, amid cries from the public outside the Capitol: “Peace!” “Keep us out of the war!” “Preserve neutrality!” and “Hurrah Roosevelt!”

SUPPORT FOR THE ALLIES

BURVEY OP PUBLIO OPINION BUT AGAINST ENTERING WAR (United Press Assn.—Elec. TeL Copyright) (Received Sept. 22, 3.15 pjn.) NEW YORK, Sept. 21 A Fortune Magazine survey indicated 83.1 per cent are In favour of Britain and France. Sixty-four point 8 per cent believe that Britain and France will win. Twenty-four point 7 per cent favour a complete embargo. Twenty-nine point 3 per cent favour unrestricted cash-and-carry sales. Nineteen point 9 per cent, favour 9 supplying materials and food for Britain and France and denying Germany. Thirteen point 3 per cent favour entering the war on the side of Britain and France only if defeat is likely. Two point 3 per cent favour immediate war and sending a United States army to Europe. One per cent urges support for Germany.

SALE OF ARMS

ATTITUDE OF AMERIOA THE NEUTRALITY LAWS (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) WASHINGTON, Sept. 20 The neutrality conference at White House made up of leading members of each party, was held, after which a statement was issued reporting that the “conference with unanimous thought discussed the primary objective of keeping the United State# neutral and at peace. It was made clear that the most Important subject is the repeal of the embargo on the sale of arms, and the return to the proceataa of international law. “Finally, the conference discussed methods of dealing with the six-point neutrality programme recommended by the Government:— > (1) Prohibition of American ships entering combat area. (2) Restriction of travel by Americans in combat zones. (3) Transfer of the title to foreign purchases for goods exported from the United States to belligerents. (4) Continuation of the prohibition of loans and credits from the United States to belligerents. (5) Regulation of solicitation of funds for belligerents in the United States. (6) Continuation of the Munitions Control Board and a system of licensing the trade in arms and munitions. Mr Roosevelt’s Desire “It was the consensus of opinion that the Senate Committee of Foreign Relations should consider the legislation as soon after Congress convenes as possible.” President Roosevelt is reported to have indicated that he would prefer complete repeal of the Neutrality Act to any modification of the existing law. However, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Key Pittman, and others advised him there was little chance of Congress approving of scrapping the Act and returning to international law. Senator Pittman said the plan would not draw r more than five of the committee’s 23 votes. The possibility of repealing the arms embargo and substituting cash and carry system was then discussed, but President Roosevelt did not commit himself. He told the conference it should not require more than two weeks or possibly three for Congress to reach a decision. CRUDE OIL BUPPUEB NOT ENOUGH FOR GERMANY NULLIFY FORCE IN AIR (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) NEW YORK, Sept. 10 Statistics showing that the entire crude oil which the production countries could supply to Germany would be inadequate for the Germans’ mechanised army and Air Force for a long war were presented at a meeting of scientists who were celebrating the 80th anniversary of the drilling of the first American oil well. Dr. Gustav Egloff said that Russia, Poland, Germany and Rumania together could produce only 260,000,000 barrels annually, or about onequarter of the United States’ production. This was bound to nullify the Germans’ superiority in the air. The United States alone could produce high octane petrol for all the world's high-speed aeroplanes. In addition, Britain and France could draw from South America, Persia and Irak. MR KERMIT ROOSEVELT BECOMES BRITISH SUBJECT United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Sept. 21 The Daily Telegraph says that Mr Hermit Roosevelt, son of the late Mr Theodore Roosevelt, famous United States President, has become a British subject and will help Britain to prosecute the war. He is joining the Ministry of Shipping, where his experience as vicepresident of United States Lines will be most valuable. Mr Hermit Roosevelt, who is a second cousin of the present President of the United States, is in his 50th year. Mr Wallace Campbell, president of the Ford Company of Canada, and Mr R. C. Vaughn,* vice-president of Canadian National Railways, have been appointed chairman and vice-chairman respectively, of the new Wax Supply Board in Canada.