GRAVE CONCERN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 199, 24 August 1939, Page 11

GRAVE CONCERN.

RUSH TO CAPITAL.

President Roosevelt Hastens

To Washington.

PEACE MOVE POSSIBILITY.

United Press Association.—Copyright,

(Received 12.30 p.m.)

WASHINGTON, August 23.

Gravely concerned at the crisis in Europe, President Roosevelt, who has been on a holiday cruise aboard the cruiser Tuscaloosa, and the Secretary of State, Mr. Cordell Hull, are hastening to Washington.

The President has ordered the cruiser to put in at Sandyhook, New Jersey, at 8 a.m. to-morrow. A special train with the White House staff aboard will be waiting for him so that he can work as he speeds towards the capital.

The question of the United States making a peace move will probably be discussed to-morrow. The acting-Secre-tary of State, Sumner Welles, has advised Americans not to travel in Europe, and added that the American Embassies in France and Poland had been asked to request nationals to leave.

A message from Cannes states that the United States Consular authorities have advised American tourists to prepare to leave the vicinity of the Italian frontier.

A second extraordinary conference of Army. Navy and civil Department chiefs was held to-day to discuss the moves the United States will make after the outbreak of war.

Mr. Sumner Welles, Army and Navy chiefs and a score of officials of five Departments, conferred at length last night regarding arrangements for evacuating the 100,000 Americans from Europe and also regarding steps to preserve America's neutrality in the event of war.

It is learned that nine new members are being appointed to the War Resources Board in preparation for an emergency.

The Polish Ambassador to the United States, Count Jerzy Potocki, earlier waited on Mr. Welles and stressed that Poland would defend herself against territorial demands even if she were deserted by Britain and France.

The American Ambassador to Poland, Mr. A. J. Drexel Biddle, has been authorised to warn Americana there of the danger of a conflict. '

REMAIN NEUTRAL.

APPEAL TO SOUTH AFRICA.

(Received 12.30 pjn.)

CAPETOWN, August 23.

Dr. Malan, Leader of the Opposition, called on South Africa to remain neutral in the event of war. General Smut* appealed to Europe to—o*d aapcidtv.