POLITICAL BATTLEGROUND

Evening Star, Issue 22229, 6 January 1936, Page 7

POLITICAL BATTLEGROUND

PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT'S CHALLENGE PREPARING FOR ELECTION Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright WASHINGTON, January 3. In tho dramatic settting of a night session of Congress President Roosevelt delivered one of the most vigorous addresses of bis Presidential career, which was apparently designed both to rally his supporters in Congress against Opposition attacks and to sound to the public generally the keynote for the campaign ho will engage on next fall for re-election. In view of the tense international situation at least half of the address was devoted to foreign affairs, in which without identifying the subjects attacked ho denounced “ autocratic dictators ” who disturb the peace by encroaching on the rights of weaker peoples. At the same time he defended his own neutrality policy against domestic “ power-seeking minorities ” who wish to profit through an external war. Turning to. national issues, President Roosevelt challenged his critics to come out in the open before Congress, “ the people’s forum,” and fight for the repeal of the “ New Deal ” measures that his Administration had effected. “We have invited battle,” he said. “ We have earned the hatred of entrenched greed.” Ho emphatically insisted that his Administration had brought the country from financial and commercial collapse well along the road to recovery, and invited his opponents to specify what laws they would change. The Administration’s permanent Neutrality Bill was filed in both Houses to-day with indications that it would he rapidly pushed through Congress, although the pacifist group is prepared to introduce alternative measures leaving the President few, if any, permissive powers to handle American foreign policy. Regarding war, the Administration’s Bill goes considerably further than the temporary measure now in force. Not only are shipments of arms, ammunition, and implements of war to be subject to embargoes on the outbreak of war, but shipments of commodities “ which might he used for war purposes,” with the exception of food and medical supplies, are to he prohibited in “ amounts exceeding normal commerce ” between this country and any belligerent. What is normal exchange of goods will be determined by the President. The strongest curb will be continued' on financial transactions with belligerents and other provisions of the present law. PRESIDENT SATISFIED WITH RECEPTION WASHINGTON,. January 4.

At White House to-day President Roosevelt’s aides let it be known that the President generally was pleased with the domestic reaction to the message he delivered in Congress, while, at the same time, a studied silence is being maintained to the flood ot Press reaction to his biting reference to “ autocratic dictators from European capitals and Tokio. The Neutrality Bill will be pushed through Congress, i and the Government is now prepared to concentrate attention on domestic issues which the new session of Congress and the coming political campaign have brought for ward. In other words, from now until November America will be a lively political battleground, and the less attention it is necessary to give foreign affairs the more pleased politicians will be.

Despite the dank picture that President Roosevelt drew of foreign war threats, the New York Stock Exchange witnessed a lively trading today, with prices generally higher. On the surface this is somewhat confusing, as President Roosevelt attacked conservative' business interests almost as violently as he did foreign dictators, but the answer from Republican political sources is that the President’s challenge, to fight against the “ New Deal” laws in’the Congress, has been accepted. A constructive alternative programme will be advanced, and they are willing to let the people choose. LEAGUE CIRCLES IMPRESSED GENEVA, January 4. League circles are impressed with President Roosevelt’s sharp criticism of autocratic forms of government, though it is realised that his references to neutrality cannot be judged till Congress acts. It is felt that the speech has brought an oil embargo nearer and gives Russians and Rumanians an assurance that America will not profit at their expense. ITALIAN REACTION AMERICA IGNORANT OF TRUE POSITION. ROME, January 4. President Roosevelt’s exhortation that Italy should patiently seek an outlet for her ever-growing population by peaceful negotiation has been coldly received in Italian official circles, where it is stressed that the President’s message shows insufficient knowledge of Italy’s case and the real situation. Italy, it is asserted, has been showing patience with Abyssinia for 40 years, notwithstanding provocations systematic breaches of agreements. Peaceful negotiations had also been carried out for many years, but these negotiations resulted in no reward for Italy’s legitimate needs and aspirations. Italy, therefore, it is declared, had no alternative lint to help herself with her own hands. The Foreign Office Spokesman says: President Roosevelt’s; speech is joot

understood as forecasting a general embargo on the exports of war materials, especially oil to Italy. Moreover, President Roosevelt's reference to countries where people do not follow the Government docs not apply to Italy.”

Other commentators point out that since September Italy has imported oil in enormous quantities from America and was largely relying on it to carry on the war. Accordingly a reduction would be embarrassing.

GERMANY INDIFFERENT

BERLIN, January 4

The official spokesman says: “The Neutrality Bill docs not touch Germany. We have nothing to do with the Italo-Abyssinian conflict, and do not believe that President, Roosevelt was alluding to Germany, whose dictatorship is different from all others.”