USE RESTRAINT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 207, 2 September 1939, Page 9

USE RESTRAINT.

AERIAL BOMBING. Mr. Roosevelt Appeals To Powers. NOT TO ATTACK CIVILIANS. (Received 9.30 a.m. 7 WASHINGTON, September 1. President Roosevelt to-day asked all potential participants in a European war to pledge themselves against the bombardment 7 of civilian populations or unfortified cities from the air. His message was sent at 4.30 a.m. to the Governments of Britain, France, Italy, Germany and Poland. He requested an immediate reply. The text of the President's appeal was as follows:—"The ruthless bombing from the air of civilians in unfortified centres of population during the course of the hostilities which have raged in various corners of the earth during the past few years and which have resulted in the maiming and death of thousands of defenceless women and children has sickened the hearts of every civilised man and woman, and profoundly shocked the conscience of humanity.

"I am therefore addressing this urgent appeal to every Government which may be engaged in hostilities, publicly to affirm its determination that its armed forces shall in no event and under no cjjcumstances undertake the bombardment from the air of civilian populations or unfortified cities upon the understanding that these same rules of warfare will be scrupulously observed by all their people. I request an immediate reply.

"If resort is had to this form of inhuman barbarism during the period of the tragic conflagration with which the world is now confronted, hundreds of thousands of innocent human beings who have no responsibility for and who are not even remotely participating in the hostilities which have now broken out, will lose their lives."

The State Department announces that it has received a French reply stating that forces have already been instructed to limit bombardments to military objectives.

Mr. Cordell Hull announced that Britain had replied formally that she would refrain from bombing civilians in unfortified cities as long as her adversaries refrained. He informed that a similar French reply was en route.