THE UNSETTLED WORLD

Evening Star, Issue 22773, 7 October 1937, Page 11

THE UNSETTLED WORLD

PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT'S SPEECH MANY SIGNIFICANT PASSAGES AMERICA’S SEARCH FOR PEACE Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright CHICAGO, October 5. President. Roosevelt’s speech, by the official text, reveals that it is replete with many striking and significant expressions, such as “ there is solidarity of interdependence in the modern world which makes it impossible for any nation completely to isolate itself from economic and political upheavals in the rest of the world. The overwhelming majority of peoples want to increase wealth • rather than to be striving to produce military planes, bombs, machine guns, and "cannons for the destruction of human lives and useful property. The peace, freedom, and security of 90 per cent, of the population of the world are being jeopardised by the remaining 10 per cent., who are threatening a breakdown of international law and order. Surely this 90 per cent, can and must find a way to make their will prevail. No nation that refuses to exercise forbearance and respect the freedom and rights of others can long remain strong and retain the confidence and respect of other nations. War is a contagion* whether is is declared or undeclared. America hates war and America hopes for peace. America therefore actively engages in the search for peace.” PRIMARILY ADDRESSED TO JAPAN UNANIMOUS PRESS APPROVAL. , NEW YORK, October 5. The Washington correspondent .of the! New York ‘ Times ’ says President Roosevelt’s speech is interpreted to mean that the President has thrown the door wide open to collaboration of the United States with other nations to check Japan’s illegal course in China, leading either to a conference under the Nine-Power Treaty or diplomatic consultations aimed toward a practical programme in the Far East. The speech was primarily addressed to Japan and timed to encourage definite League action. Officials were reluctant to interpret the use of the word ' “ quarantine ” because they were unable to visualise what the President considered possible under it, and it cannot be determined whether economic sanctions were meant. The New York ‘Times’ collected editorial comment throughout the nation showing unanimous approval of - the President’s speech. The ‘ Times;’ /has expressed/ deep moral,,, indignation at the- policies hi ruthlessness and conquest. The (Boston ‘ Herald ’ says: “ President Wilson’s mantle lay on President Roosevelt’s shoulders when he spoke.” The St. Louis ‘ Globe ’ says: “ The Democrat President is right, wholly and completely right.” The Los Angeles ‘ Times ’ says : “ The speech shows President Roosevelt at his best.” The newspapers, however, almost uannimously warn against steps involving the United States in war, ’

SATISFACTION IN BRITAIN OUTSPOKENNESS SURPRISES CABINET. LONDON, October 5. The ‘ Daily Mail’s ’ diplomatic correspondent says the Cabinet will meet on. : October 6 to discuss .President Roosevelt's speech, the outspokenness of which surprised members of the Cabinet. Although President Roosevelt had been informed of the British attitude hitherto there were no formal discussions regarding joint action. It is stated in well-informed quarters that Britain would never participate in sanctions against Japan or in any action adding ‘to her preoccupations in the Mediterranean.

A * Times ’ leader emphasises that President Roosevelt and the Archbishop of Canterbury have unmistakably proved the indignation of the greater part pi the world at Japan’s aggression and bombing from the air. The significance of President Roosevelt’s appeal to peace-loving peoples to co-operate in the defence of peace can be missed nowhere, and will nowhere meet with deeper satisfaction than in Britain and the dominions.

WELCOMED BY FRENCH PRESS GREATEST SPEECH OF CAREER. PARIS, October 6. The Press welcomes President Roosevelt’s speech, which is interpreted in many quarters as meaning that the United States is emerging from its policy of isolation and has decided to range itself beside the nations that are seeking order and tranquility. ‘Le Jour’ says: “The declaration must have a resounding echo in the new world.” The ‘ Petit Parisien ’ believes that the speech will open the eyes of those Americans who think the United States can remain outside another war. The ‘ Populaire ’ describes the speech as the greatest of President Roosevelt’s career. IGNORED IN ITALY A TILT AT BRITAIN. ROME, October 6. The newspapers publish only seven lines of President Roosevelt’s speech, supplied by the official news agency,

without comment, but an article in ‘ Popolo d’ltalia ’ ascribed to Signor Mussolini and written before the speech, seeks to justify Japan’s actions and taunts Britain. “ The shrieks of gossipy women and the sermons of the Archbishop of Canterbury make us laugh or excite disgust, according to the circumstances. It is certain that in the case of necessity Britain would hot hesitate to bomb enemy positions, as she has done and is doing in Waziristan.”

JAPAN'S REPLY THE RIGHT TO LIVE. TOKIO, October 6. Meeting the challenge of President Roosevelt’s speech in Chicago yesterday, Mr Kawai declared: “ All honest, industrious people have the right to live anywhere in pursuit of life, and happiness, but when one group of people is living in happiness, with amassed fortunes, and another group, honest and industrious, is denied such happiness no greater injustice is imaginable. The population of Japan has doubled in the past 50 years, and is crammed in a limited area. If Japan wants to send out people all the outlets are denied her. If the ‘ haves ’ refuse the rightful demand of the ‘have nets,’ then peace will he most difficult to maintain.” Mr Kawai further declared: “ Japan does not make such a demand as her right—the Westerners’ conception of right is incompatible with that of the Orientals. Japan only demands that her people be allowed to enjoy the freedom of movement and happiness which is rightfully theirs. Japan intends to carry out peaceful development iu the continent, not for the sake of Japan alone, but also for the Chinese. Japan wants the peaceful co-operation of China, but that is refused by force of arms, which has resulted in the present affair. We are confident that thinking Chinese realise Japan’s true intentions and will take a course of mutual aid and co-operation for peace in East Asia and the world. ”