REMAIN FREE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 235, 4 October 1935, Page 7

REMAIN FREE.

AMERICA'S DECISION. Unentangled in Conflicts of Other Nations. ROOSEVELT DECLARATION. United Press Association.—Copyright. WASHINGTON, October 3. President Roosevelt and his Secretary of State, Mr. Cordell Hull, both took occasion on the apparent eve of war in Ethiopia to enunciate phases of the United States Government's foreign policy as it pertains to the European situation. At San Diego before embarking on the cruiser Houston for a cruise to Panama, Mr. Roosevelt pledged America's neutrality in any European war. Speaking to the nation, in the presence of the fleet, Mr. Roosevelt said: "As President of the United States, I say to yo i most earnestly once more that the people of America and the Government of those people intend and expect to remain at peace with all the world."

Asserting that a foreign war was a potent danger at this moment to the future of civilisation, Mr. Roosevelt added: "The American people can have but one concern and speak but one sentiment, namely, that in spite of what happens on continents overseas the United States shall and must remain— as long ago the father of our country prayed it might remain—unentangled and free. This country seeks no conquest and has no Imperial designs. Earnest Desire for Peace. "From day to day and from year to year, we are establishing a more perfect assurance of peace among our neighbours. We rejoice especially in the prosperity, stability and importance of all the American Republics. Wo not only earnestly desire peace, but are moved by the stern determination to avoid those perils which would endanger our peace with the world." The President also noted that some other nations were not abiding by the American principles of liberty of conscience and religious freedom, but he reminded his hearers that those violations were under the jurisdiction of other flags. He called for continued adherence to these principles by the American people. WORLD PEACE PLEA. CORDELL HULL OUTSPOKEN. WASHINGTON, October 3. The Secretary of State, Mr. Cordell Hull, has issued a statement which is technically an answer to questions, regarding the Government's reaction to „ Mr. Neville Chamberlain's "no stabilisation" utterance, but in effect it is a plea for world economic and political peace. , f Mr. Hull said he fully understood the " difficulties facing Mr. Chamberlain and the British Government, but obviously he regretted the conditions which made Mr. Chamberlain's rejection of the suggestion for the stabilisation of currencies necessary. "Many fears and mistrust among the nations definitely obstruct the exchange of good service between them such as would give employment along useful lines," said Mr. Hull. He emphasised that, in spite of developments in Europe, the Administration was determined to press for reciprocal tariff treaties. After his address, the President boarded the Houston and set out to sea to review the greatest massing of naval ships in the history of America. Later he will make a cruise down the coast of Central America. Mr. Hull, addressing a mass meeting held under the auspices of the Committee on Religious Life, said: "The present dangers are a challenge to the Church to engage in what should be nothing less than a flaming crusade for peace."

N.Z. MISSIONARIES. WORKERS IN ABYSSINIA. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) HASTINGS, this day. It is stated 'by Mr. Charles H. Barton, who is visiting his home town of Hastings on furlough from A'byssinia, where he and his wife have been members of the Sudan Interior Mission for the past six years, that the following New Zealand missionaries were at present in Abyssinia and possibly in the danger zone:— Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Roke, of Auckland. Mr. and Mrs. G. Cliff Mitchell, of Auckland. Mrs. Glen Cain, of Auckland. Miss M. A. McMillan, of Dunedin. Miss Freda Horn, of Palmcrston North. Miss Ethel Tcnipleton, of Otago. The following arc on furlough: Messrs. M. Stress, Charles Barton and Eric S. Horn; and Mr. and Mrs. L. A. Davidson. Mr. Barton 6ays the mission's most northern station is in the direct line of advance on Adowa. RED CROSS AID. NEW ZEALANDERS OFFER. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. The Prime Minister announced that representatives of the joint council of the Order of St. John and the New Zealand Bed Cross Society had waited upon him this morning and offered the services of their respective organisations to the Government in the event of complications arising from the present dispute between Italy and Abyssinia. Mr. Forbes, while expressing the hope that there would be no occasion to accept the offer, conveyed the Government's appreciation of the council's action in making it.