WAR SUPPLIES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 185, 20 May 1941, Page 3

WAR SUPPLIES

AMERICAN AID TO BRITAIN. WILL NOT EVADE ISSUE. (tJ.P.A.) WASHINGTON, May 18. The United States Secretary of State (Mr Cordell Hull), in a broadcast address inaugurating America’s, world trade week, said: “There is little use talking of planning foreign trade unless the outcome of the war is favour able for the free peoples. At present our. foreign trade consists increasingly of tnaking tools for defence and placing the'm in the hands of nations resisting unlawful attack. This trade is futile if the goods do not reach those for whom they are, intended. “When we sot ourselves a task, we finish it. We will not permit our purpose to.be frustrated. Only thus can we. look forward to a brighter day. “During the last year we have seen ruthless aggression and the enslavement Of nations too weak to resist, who ’ have been crushed by unbounded military frightfulness. In conquered territory, organised brutality and coercion have ibcen carried to the utmost. “The safety of our nation and of every free nation is in moral danger if wc'work on the mistaken assumption that two oceans, plus a desire for peace will protect us. The dictators’ paramount purpose is to secure control of the high seas, which is essential to their programme of world domination. World Policies After the War. “Every consideration of our own defence and safety requires that we see that Britain receives adequate supplies for successful resistance. We must .not be weakened by internal division. We must devote our whole energy to essential tasks and avoid delays caused by business complacency or strikes, which. gravely endanger our national safety. The greatest national effort must be made, or we will find ourselves surrounded by the aggressors and compelled to fight virtually alone against great odds for our national existence.”

Mr Hull outlined the principles on which the policies of the world must be based after tlie war, such as the avoidance of extreme nationalism; nondiscrimination in raw materials, ‘which should be available to all nations; international agreement protecting the interests of consuming countries; rnd an international finance structure facilitating essential enterprises, and continuous development, all countries permitting payment consonant with universal welfare.

“Unless we have a system of open trade, it will be impossible in future to buy or sell except on military terms. Unless a system of open trade becomes firmly established, there will bo chronic political instability and a recurrent economic collapse. “In the final reckoning, the problem, is the establishing of the foundations of international order with independent nations co-operating freely. This world order will not be new, but a renewed order which liberates rather thaii enslaves. We cannot do this until we are free from the scourge of a military menace and malign political intrigue of the basest character. Only then will foreign trade revert from caigoes of weapons and explosives to commodities that nourish, heal and enrich. “This nation is resolved to evade no issues and to face harsh facts. We believe we can create a safer and more prosperous world. W r e have the tools, the resources, the brains, and the hands, but first the tide of force must be turned back.” Mr Hull, in a speech to the PanAmerican Union, said: “The present effort to build world mastery by force will be defeated within in a reasonable time, just as all other such efforts in history have collapsed, although we shall have to pass through hardship and sacrifice.” “Will 1 Fight for Democracy.” The United States Secretary of the Interior {Mr Harold L. Ickes), in a speech, said the United States “not only will fight for democracy, but will make it worth fighting for. , “We muist give the British everything we have,” he said, “and by everything I mean everything needed to beat the life from the common enemy. America will help England drive ’ back the hordes of hell who besiege her. Then we will join for the destruction of the savage, bloodthirsty dictators everywhere. But wc must be firm and decisive. We must know our will and make it felt and we must hurry.” Mr Ickes said he was convinced Americans would lose their freedom unless they co-operated fully iu aiding enslaved people to recover thtfr liberty. “These hundreds of millions of liberty loving people constitute the greatest sixth column in history. They have the will to destroy the Nazi gangsters. We have always helped in struggles for human freedom and we will help again.” „ , . The Committee to Defend America by Aiding the Allies to-day issued a statement urging 'Mr Roosevelt to announce that the United States will not permit tho Axis to gam direct or indirect control of Dakar, the Azores, 01 the Cape Verdo Islands. The committee proposed that tho United States and Britain should jointly occupy these places as a protective measure it there was any danger of German control. Vichy’s capitulation, the increasing danger of ' Spanish collaboration, and the menace of Germany to 1 ortugal, present the gravest threat to the Western Hemisphere since American independence, it was stated. The Official Vichy News Agency lias denied Now York reports that the German occupation of Dakar tras envis-aged-dtiHhdThe talks between Admiral Darlah Ana Hitler.