CHAMBERLAIN MOVE INTRIGUES AMERICA.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 219, 16 September 1938, Page 9

CHAMBERLAIN MOVE INTRIGUES AMERICA.

HIGHLY POPULAR. War Guilt "Will Be Firmly Fixed. ,, U.S. BACKS UP BRITAIN. United Presir Association.—Copyright. (Received 10.30 a.m.) NEW YORK, September \o. I While President Roosevelt, spurred Iby events in Europe, hurried to Washington from his speaking tour, it became increasingly evident that not only did the United States public wholeheartedly support Mr. Chamberains decision to visit Herr Hitler but that not a single action by Mr Chamberlain could be more likely to lire the imagination of Americans as a whole and brush aside their traditional suspicion of British motives regarding a prospective European war, as well as shake their isolationist viewpoint and place them in a receptive attitude toward backing up effort to maintain peace in Europe, and if need be abandon the pacifist attitude.

j The consensus of opinion seemed to be that it was a direct, blunt and almost typically American approach to the problem. The American attitude is aptly illustrated by the "Xew York Tunes" action in altering its leader in lute editions to state that if .Mr. Chamberlain's mission" failed, never would war guilt have been more firmly fixed. That is the crux of the situation in America, where the maii-in-the-stieet is often ready to argue that the United States should never have entered the • iieat War. Xow it is impossible for any American to doubt Britain's sincere desire for peace, and Mr. Chamberlain's sudden decision has fired American imagination in a dramatic fashion. This could not be doubted by any observer who saw the thousands massed in New York's Times Square, watching Ihe electric sijrn carrying news bulletins from Kurope. _ Mr. Roosevelt cancelled his regular Kriday Press conference as he will not comment on foreign or domestic affairs at present. BOLD GAMBLE. PREMIER'S VISIT. Summon Parliament to Hear Report. AUDIENCES WITH KING. United Tress Association.—Copyright. (Received 1..T0 p.m.) LOXDOX, September 15. The Australian Associated Press says that official circles guardedly welcome Mr. Chamberlain's dramatic idea, which was not suggested by M. Daladier a.e haa been reported.

It is frankly recognised as a bold but tremendous gamble for success or failure, which is dependent on the bargaining powers of Sir Horace Wilson. This is strengthened by the announcement that the Committee of Imperial Defence will meet in the morning when Viscount Gort. V.C.. Chief of Staff. Mr. TJore-Bi'Hsha, War Minister. Sir Kingsley Wood. Air Minister, Sir Samuel Hoare, Home Secretary, and Viscount Halifax will attend. Crowds cheered King George on leaving Euston and arriving at Buckingham Palace on his return from Scotland. Sir John Simon was an earlv caller to acquaint His Majesty with the latest international developments. The King gave a Jong audience to Lord Halifax. Later he gave an audience to Sir Thomas Inskip. Parliament will be summoned after Mr. Chamberlain's return to hear his statement on his conversations with Herr Hitler. FULL SUPPORT. Australian Premier's Message to Mr. Chamberlain. WARM REPLY RECEIVED. (Keceived 11 a.m.) CANBERRA, this day. The Prime Minister, Mr. J. A. Lyons, cabled the Commonwealth Ministry's warnirst admiration to the British Government on Mr. Chamberlain's visit to Germany. Ho assured Mr. Chamberlain of the Australian Government's full Mipport for his policy and actions in the cause of peace.

Mr. Lyons received a message from Mr. Chamberlain statin;; that Mr. Lyons' cable regarding Australia's cooperation with Britain had reached him just as he Mas leaving for Germany. He said that Mr. Lyons' message had been a great encouragement to him and he sent his warmest thanks. AMERICAN CORN. EXPORT TO GERMANY. (Received 11 a.m.) MONTREAL, September 15. Grain circles estimated that 1.000,000 tons of American corn was moved to Germany from St. Lawrence ports recently. It is supposed that this was in anticipation of war. AUSTRALIAN NAVY. ALL LEAVE CANCELLED. (Received 12 noon.) CANBERRA, this day. All leave for the Australian Xavy has been cancelled.