ROOSEVELT’S DENIALS

Greymouth Evening Star, 6 February 1939, Page 7

ROOSEVELT’S DENIALS

POLICY RE-OUTLINED

"SIMPLY EATS HIS WORDS"

[BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYBIGHT.]

WASHINGTON, February :i

Mr. Roosevelt, addressing a Press conference, branded as “a deliberate lie” a report that he had placed America’s new defence frontier on the Rhine. He asserted that his foreign policy was unchanged, and he added that the American people were beginning to realise that the things they read and heard were "pure, unadulterated bunk.” Mr. Roosevelt again stated his foreign policy as follows: — (1) No entangling alliances. (2) The encouragement of world trade among all nations, including the United States.

(3) Sympathy with any and every effort to bring about a reduction in armaments.

(4) National sympathy with the peaceful maintenance of the political, economic and social -independence of all nations.

Mr. Roosevelt pointed to a pile of newspapers on his . desk and declared that all c&nt&infed “'articles 'tvith headlines giving ah erroneous impression of the Administration’s aims and intentions. He termed the implications of secrecy as “100 per cent, bunk.” The President asked journalists if they thought he should publicise information from the United States Intelligence Service on matters which agents believed were true but could not prove immediately. A full airihg on the floor of the Senate of what occurred at the conference between Mr. Roosevelt and the Military Affairs Committee is likely to follow the President’s declaration that it was a deliberate lie to say he put America’s defence frontier in France. Indignant Senators stick to their story, and reliable newspapers, after again checking their sources of information, have not withdrawn their earlier accounts.

It is suggested that Mr. Roosevelt sent up a “trial balloon,” although the “New York Herald-Tribune” observes that such an amiable metaphor can hardly be used when the President “simply eats his words.” It is mentioned that he retreated similarly, though ‘hot so far, after his foreign policy speech in Chicago in 1937, and after declaring support for Canada in 1938.

The “New York Times” comments: “There is reason to doubt whether the matters discussed on Tuesday were intended to be kept confidential.” It adds: “It was obviously impossible, with 17 listeners. The President chose the worst possible way to further his own foreign policy and followed this up quite unfairly with an ominous attack on the Press. If he will lead the way in proposing an amendment to the Neutrality Act, enabling American influence to be used more effectively in restraining aggression, he will have prompt support from all who agree with him that there are methods short of war in bringing home to aggressor governments the sentiments of the American people.” Declaring that the President has fallen into a ditch of his own digging, the “New York Herald-Tribune” says the present episode is “a new record in advance and retreat for this or any President.”

PRESS CONJECTURES.

(Recd. February 6, 10.30 a.m.) WASHINGTON, February 5.

The foreign policy debate, this week, will turn on the question of whether Mr. Roosevelt intends the United States to back England and France, except with man power, in the event of a European war. Senators regard this as more important than the controversy which has raised it —whether the President put the American defence frontier in France.

The Roosevelt statement of policy is based on the principles of American tradition, and completely acceptable to the isolationists. The running attack must be confined to its lack of detail. It is expected that Senator Pittman, chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, will be asked to amplify his statement that the only way to prevent war in Europe “would be such an equal balancing of military power that neither side would be willing to undertake the chance of defeat.” The object of questioning will be to d’scover whether or not the Administration intends to throw the weight of the United States on the side of this “equal balancing of military power,” on the assumption this could only mean facilitating rearming England and France, while withholding munitions from other nations, highly armed.

The bulk of the American press charge Mr. Roosevelt with muddling, but at least, his practice of advancing and retreating, has the advantage of preventing a clear issue rising between the isolationists and his own followers. He does not want a decision on the specific issue to be forced, while, as now, there is a risk of a setback. According to the New York “HeraldTribune,” the probability is there will be no concrete issues, unless and until a major war breaks out. The trouble for the isolationists is the issue in such an event may come too late. Their position has weakened visibly since the Munich outbreak. Thus, although he would like to see the Neutrality Act amended, Mr. Roosevelt may continue to talk generalities. A move to amend the Act will certainly precipitate a trial of strength. GERMAN ESTIMATE. BERLIN, February 2. The semi-official newspapers, “Diplomatische Korrespondenz." accuses Mr. Roosevelt of aiming at open belligerent intervention in European affairs, in violation of the Monroe Doctrine.

PROTEST TO ITALY

ROME, February 3

The United States Embassy has protested against, the Italian press campaign against Mr. Roosevelt. It pointed out. that recent comments have been personally insulting. Some Italian newspapers to-day implied that Mr. Roosevelt’s physical disabilities caused mental aberrations. ANTI-ITALIAN OUTBURST. PANAMA CITY, February 5. Two Italian cruisers, arriving on a goodwill cruise, met angry crowds. Admiral Sonigli’s car was pelted with

rotten eggs, as he drove to call on the President. Police reserves were called out.

Feeling is high owing to Dr. Gayda’s editorials stating that the ItalianGerman defence frontiers may extend to the Panama canal. SUPPLIES TO GERMANY? MIAMI, February 5 Mathew Woll, Labour leader, charged the United States, with giving preferential treatment to Germany, enabling the Nazi Government to obtain ■ millions of dollars worth of war material. He declared the Treasury was defying Mr. Roosevelt’s policy, and set aside the Anti-dumping Act, allowing the export of cotton, scrap iron, fats and oils at 33 1-3 per cent, above the world prices. Germany was paying in manufactured goods.