HELP FOR BRITISH EMPIRE

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21231, 30 September 1940, Page 7

HELP FOR BRITISH EMPIRE

SUCCESSFUL DEFENCE AGAINST AGGRESSION JAPAN’S ASSAULT ON INDO-CHINA CONDEMNED (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) NEW YORK, Sept. 28 The Under-Secretary of State, Mr Sumner Welles, in a speech at Cleveland, Ohio, made a pronouncement on the United States’ foreign policy which is considered very significant in view of the announcement of the alliance between Germany, Italy and Japan. Mr Welles again asserted that it was the intention of the United States “to render all material support and assistance in the form of supplies and munitions to Britain and the British Dominions in what we hope will be their successful defence against armed aggression.” Mr Welles warned the United States that it faced as grave dangers as any in all its history and must continue in future as in the past to prepare for all eventualities and arm with all haste and vigour to guard the New World from the threatened danger. Simultaneously, America must be ready when the time came to aid in the construction of that kind of world peace, based on justice and law, by which alone could the United States have security fully guaranteed. Continuing, Mr Welles condemned Japan’s assault upon French Indo-China as a threat to the colony’s integrity, contrary to Japan’s promises to respect the status quo.

America’s Needs In Far East Mr Welles said the primary requirements of the United States in the Far East could thus simply be set forth;— (1) Complete respect by all Powers for the legitimate rights of the United States and its nationals as stipulated in existing treaties or provided by accepted tenets of international law. (2) Equality of opportunity for trade for all nations. (3) Respect for the international agreements and treaties concerning the Far East to which the United States was party, although with the most express understanding that the United States was always willing to consider peaceful negotiation for such modifications or changes as might be considered necessary in the light of changed conditions. “In her endeavour to create a new order in Asia, Japan has relied on armed force and has made it very clear that she intends that Japan alone shall decide the extent to which the historic interests of the United States and the treaty rights of Americans in the Far East should be observed,” said Mr Welles. “There have been many hundreds of violations of American rights, but no problems have been presented which cannot be solved peacefully through negotiation, provided it is the sincere desire of all concerned to find an equitable solution giving just recognition to the rights and real needs of all concerned.” Mr Allies praised the heroism of the British people in defending successfully their homes and liberties. Anglo-American Conferences The British Ambassador, the Marquess of Lothian, and Sir Walter Layton, economic expert, conferred first with Mr Cordell Hull, Secretary of State, and then with President Roosevelt, to whom Lord Lothian said: “Britain needs more of everything quickly.” After the talks Mr Roosevelt conferred with the defence chiefs and with Mr Henry Morgenthau, Secretary of the Treasury, who is the coordinator of United States and British arms purchasers. Later the Cabinet met. Lord Lothian revealed that he discussed the Pacific situation with Mr Hull and also considered problems relating to the establishment of United States bases on the sites leased under the destroyer deal. Mr Roosevelt received a delegation of 87 people from all parts of the nation urging further and immediate aid to Britain. The spokesman of the delegation stated later: “We were enthusiastically encouraged.” The first reaction to the AxisJapanese pact in Washington is to intensify defences, especially the two-ocean navy, and to strengthen outlying defences in the Pacific and Atlantic. Message From Mussolini Mussolini, in telegraphing Prince Konoye, said: “The Italians welcome the pact associating the energies of our countries to the great task of European and Asiatic reconstruction. Italy has long followed with unchanged sympathy the developments of Japanese policy and such high aims logically culminate in today’s events.” King Victor Emmanuel and Count Ciano sent similar messages to the Mikado and Mr Matsuoka, Japanese Foreign Minister.