AMERICAN UNITY

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21373, 18 March 1941, Page 5

AMERICAN UNITY

[ ROOSEVELT GRATEFUL HELP FROM PRESS VALUE OF LOYALTY (United press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) WASHINGTON, March 16 President Roosevelt, in his speech at the dinner of the White House Correspondents’ Association, said this function was unique. "It is the first one at which I have made a speech in all these eight years,” he continued. "It differs from our press conferences# twice a week. You cannot ask me any questions, and everything I say here is word for word on the record. "For eight years you and I have been helping each other,” said the President. “I have been trying to keep you informed of the news in Washington, and of the nation and of the world from the point of view of the Presidency. You, more than you realise it, have been giving me a great deal of information about what the people of this country are thinking. "In our press conferences, as at this dinner, we include reporters representing newspapers and news agencies of many other lands. To most of them it is a matter of constant amazement that press conferences such as ours can exist in any nation in the world. That is especially true in those lands where freedom does not exist, where the purposes of our democracy and the characteristics of our country and of our people have been seriously distorted. Such misunderstandings are not new. "I remember in the early days of the first World War,” said Mr Roosevelt, "the German Government received solemn assurances from their representatives in the United States that the people of America were disunited; that they cared more for peace at any price than for the preservation of their ideals and freedom; that there would even be riots and revolutions in the United States if this nation ever asserted its own interests. Let not the dictators of Europe and Asia doubt our unanimity now. The President Worried "Before the present war broke out in September, 1939, I was more worried about the future than many people. The record shows that I was not worried enough. That, however, is water over the dam. Do not let us waste time reviewing the past, or fixing or dodging the blame for it. History cannot be rewritten by wishful thinking. We, the American people, are writing history today.” Mj Roosevelt said there was a vast difference between the word "loyalty” and the word “obedience.” "Obedience can be obtained and enforced in a dictatorship by the use of threats and extortion, or can be obtained by failure on the part of the Government to tell the truth to its citizens,” the President continued. -Loyalty is different. It springs from the mind. That is true in England, Greece, China and in the United States today, and in many other countries millions of men and women are praying for the return of the day when they can give that kind of loyalty. Loyalty cannot be bought.” ABUSE IN ROME MR ROOSEVELT’S SPEECH WELCOMED IN EMPIRE (Uniled Press Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, March 17 A Rome broadcast announcement states that the supreme aim of the totalitarian States is an international system in which each country will be free to choose the Government it requires. Official German comment last night stated that the speech was still being considered by the Foreign Office. The main responsibility for *'ixis comment seems to have been piaced on Rome, but quarters there have little to say that is not abuse. Spanish newspapers feature the speech prominently, but make no comment, but South American opinion greets it warmly. The whole of the British Empire has welcomed it with enthusiasm. # A complete bulletin has been given by the Moscow radio explaining the Lend and Lease Act, and what Britain has already received. The address, which was broadcast from the United States in 14 different languages, was sent out from Daventry in z2 languages. It is stated that it will bring new hope and confidence in countries under German domination, although the Gestapo is trying to stop it getting out. The New York Times said that following the President’s announcement hopes had risen in Greece, China and the various parts of the British Empire, hearts were higher, and men and women more optimistic. WARNING TO NAZIS AUSTRALIANS HEARTENED SURENESS AND AUTHORITY United Press Assn. Eiec. Tel. Copyright) SYDNEY, March 17 The Australian press today featured Mr Roosevelt’s speech, which has greatly heartened the people of the Commonwealth. Editorial articles express the sentiment that never before in the memi arable series of addresses by which i iie had progressively educated the I American people u.\ war issues, has ; Mr Rcoseveit spoken with su«.h sureI ness and authority. I The Sun says: “ The President's ! speech was a plain wai rung to tne I Germans that only a short step re--1 mains toward active hostilities." | The acthig-Frime Minister, Mr A. * W. Fadtien, said the speech would put new heart into all lovers of freedom.