APPEAL MADE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 45, 2 December 1939, Page 6

APPEAL MADE

TRAGIC POLICY OF FORCE. CONDEMNED BY UNITED STATES. MESSAGE BY MR ROOSEVELT. (United Press Association—Copyright.) (Received This Day, 9.30 a.m.) WASHINGTON, December 1. Air Roosevelt has sent a message to , Russia and Finland in terms identical to those of his anti-bombing appeal on ■September 1. The text of the message is: “The news of the Soviet naval and military bombings of Finnish territory came as a profound shock to the Government and people of the United States. Despite efforts to solve the dispute by peaceful methods, to which no reasonable objection could be offered, one Power has chosen to resort to force of arms. It is tragic to see the policy of force spreading and to realise the Avanton disregard of law still on the march.

“All peace-loving peoples in nations which are still Hoping for a continuance of relations on a Avorld-Avide basis of IaAV and order will unanimously condemn this new resort to military force as ail arbiter in international differences, to the great misfortune of the ivorkl. The present trend to force makes insecure the independence and existence of small nations in every continent .and jeopardises the rights of mankind to self-government. The people and Goi'ernment of Finland have a long, honourable and Avliolly peaceful record which has Avon them the respect and Avarm regard of the people and the Government of the United States.”