SECOND GESTURES MADE BY MR ROOSEVELT

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22519, 29 September 1938, Page 11

SECOND GESTURES MADE BY MR ROOSEVELT

3 Cablegram to Herr Hitler Urges Peace j

PROPOSAL FOR CONFEREE TO BE HELD IN EUROPE

United States Disclaims Political

Involvement

IU.MTCD .PRESS ASSOCIATIOK —COPTRIG*tj (Received September 29, 1 a.m.) WASHINGTON, September 27. Mr Roosevelt to-night sent a cablegram to Herr Hitler appealing to Germany, on broad Humanitarian grounds, to keep the negotiations open. “Nothing stands in the way of widening the negotiations into a conference of all nationals directly interested in the controversy,” he stated in his message. “Such a meeting could be held immediately in some neutral spot in Europe, and would offer an opportunity for this and correlated questions to be solved in the spirit of justice and fair dealing.

“The United States has no political involvement in Europe and will assume no obligations in conducting the present negotiations. Yet in our own right.we recognise our responsibilities as part of the world of neighbours.”

Addressing an exceptionally large gathering of journalists, Mr Roosevelt said he could only repeat what ho had already said before, “I hate war.” Pressed to expand this statement, he would only add that he was against'evil and for peace, but after that he countered every other question regarding the crisis, and cautioned journalists against speculating in any way on what was in his mind.

State Department officials commented privately, on Mr Chamberlain’s broadcast statement, that it clarified * the situation substantially and indicated cleanly that Herr Hitler had increased his demands between the two conferences at Berchtesgaden and Godesberg.

Mr Roosevelt, in acknowledging Herr Hitler’s reply to his telegram of September 26, said:r“l was confident that you would coincide in the opinion I expressed regarding the unforeseeable consequences and incalculable disaster which would result to the entire world from the outbreak of a European war.

“The resort to force in the Great War failed to bring tranquillity. Victory and defeat are alike sterile. That is the lesson that the world should have learned, and, for that reason above all others, 1 addressed my appeal to your Excellency and to the President of Czechoslovakia and the Prime Ministers of Britain and France.

Points I sought to emphasise were, first, that all matters of difference between the German Government and the Czechoslovakian Government could and should be settled by pacific methods, and second, that the threatened alternative of the use of force on a scale likely to result in a general war is as unnecessary as it is unjustifiable.

“My conviction on these two points is deepened because responsible statesmen have officially stated that an agreement in principle has already been reached between the Government of the German Reich and the Government of Czechoslovakia, although the precise time, method, and detail of carrying out the agreement remain at issue.” After putting forward the plan to hold an international conference, Mr Roosevelt concludes: “In my considered opinion, and in the light of the experience of this country, continued negotiations remain the only way by which the immediate problem can be disposed of upon any lasting basis. Should you agree to a solution in this peaceful manner, I am convinced that hundreds of millions throughout the world would recognise your action as of outstanding historic service to all humanity.

‘History Will Hold Us Accountable”

“Allow me to state my unqualified conviction that history, and the souls of every man, woman, and child whose lives will be lost in a threatened war, will hold all of. us accountable should we omit any appeal for its prevention.” After Mr Roosevelt’s message to Herr Hitler it was emphasised that this is the last appeal the President intends to make. Informed officials also declared that the United States will not participate in any conference such as Mr Roosevelt suggested.

.Mr Roosevelt himself by inference disposed of M. Daladier’s suggestion that he should -act as mediator.

His message was cabled at 10 p.m. after a day and an evening of deliberation. It is presumed that the text was approved at an earlier Cabinet meeting. It was sent only to Herr Hitler, indicating that the President places the responsibility for world peace squarely on the Fiihrer. While the restraint shown in the message is disappointing to those anxious to see America take a stronger stand, the appeal is valuable in that Herr Hitler could use Mr Roosevelt’s intervention as the door to a dignified retreat. It is felt in the present situation that Germany defies the rule that dictators cannot afford to climb down, because of peaceful settlement of the Sudeten question on the lines of the original British and French proposal, would probably increase Herr Hitler’s popularity with his compatriots more than a war. The news that Mr Roosevelt’s first appeal dominates the front pages of the Berlin morning newspapers is regarded as significant. Although the publication was delayed, the text of the message appears in full. If Herr Hitler does want peace with dignity, Washington is giving him a chance of saving his face. TESTED WATCHES. We have a very large stock of Reliable Roamer Lever Watches. Water Tight, Dust-proof. Diamond Engagement Rings. Best value in Christchurch. Inspect Window JONES and SONS, Jewellers, 278 High street, Christchurch.

“PEACE AT ANY PRICE”

SENATOR W. E. BORAH ON CRISIS AMERICAN NEWSPAPER COMMENT (Received September 28, 9.30 p.m.) NEW YORK, September 27. Unofficial comment on 'Herr Hitler’s reply to Mr Roosevelt shows disappointment but .no surprise at the Puhrer’s failure to accept negotiation as the method of settlement of the Sudeten problem. Senator W. E. Borah in a statement disapproved Herr’ Hitler’s methods, but said his claims were fair. He advocated the return of all that was German and Hungarian in Czechoslovakia and Rumania to Germany and Hungary respectively. Peace, he said, should be made at any price.

Newspaper comment reflects the note of unhappy waiting and not much hope of a peaceful-solution. The New York “Sun” emphasises that Herr Hitler’s reply serves notice on the world that he intends to stand firmly on his policy in Czechoslovakia, even though it should mean war. It -concludes: “Unless somebody gives -way, war seems inevitable.”

The New York “World Telegram” says: “The tragedy, of the American position is that as a peacemaker she ' labours under a terrific handicap. Herr Hitler is well aware that once a war begins we have laws to stop us from helping Czechoslovakia, Britain, and France. He' knows that under our Neutrality Act we could not legally send five’ cents worth of buckshot to either Britain or France even if it would turn the scales of war in their favour. He knows that under the Johnstone Act we could not legally lend them 10 cents, if 10 cents would save them from bankruptcy or defeat” APPEAL FOR RECRUITS IN IRELAND MESSAGE TO MR CHAMBERLAIN FROM MR DE VALERA (Received September 28, 9.30 p.m.) LONDON, September 28. The Irish Defence Department has appealed for recruits. Dublin Corporation officials conferred with the Defence Department to consider air raid precautions’ schemes. Mr de Valera, from Geneva, telegraphed to Mr Chamberlain: “Let nothing daunt you nor deflect you in your efforts for peace.” MEETING OF HOUSE OF COMMONS MR CHAMBERLAIN TO SPEAK FOR AN HOUR (Received September 28, 9.30 p.m.) LONDON, September 28. The House of Commons will meet at 2.45 p.m. to-day. Mr Chamberlain will probably start to speak soon after 3 p.m. for more than an hour. (For later news see Stop Preiw Column on Pace 1.)