WAY TO PEACE

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 March 1939, Page 7

WAY TO PEACE

STATESMEN’S OPPORTUNITY SIR S. HOARE’S APPEAL [BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.] RUGBY, March 10. The Home Secretary (Sir Samuel Hoare), speaking in his constituency, eloquently depicted the opportunity which lay before the leading statesmen in the world to create peace and prosperity. He asked his audience to imagine the possible results of abolishing the political uncertainties which stand in the way of settled co-operation between nations. “Suppose political confidence could be restored in Europe, and suppose that for the space of five years there were neither wars nor rumours of wars,’’ he said. “Suppose the peoples of Europe were able to free themselves from the nightmare that haunts them, and from the expenditure of armaments that beggars them. Could we not then devote the almost incredible inventions and discoveries of our time to the creation of the golden age in which poverty could be reduced to insignificance and the standard of living' raised to‘ heights we never have been able to attempt before? Here indeer is the greatest opportunity that has ever been offered to the leaders of the world. Five men in Europe—three dictators and the Prime Ministers of England and France —if they worked with a singleness of purpose and unity of action to this end might in an incredibly short space of time transform the whole history of the world. “These five men, working together

in Europe and blessed in their efforts by the President of the United States, might make themselves eternal benefactors of the human race. Our own Prime Minister has shown his determination to work heart and soul to such an end. I cannot believe that the other leaders in Europe would not join him in the high endeavour upon which he is engaged.’’

AMERICAN OPINION.

SUPPORT FOR DEMOCRACIES (Reed. March 13, 8 a.m.). WASHINGTON, March 12. The American Institute of Public Opinion’s latest nation-wide survey indicates that Americans are swinging in behind Mr. Roosevelt’s policy of concrete assistance to the democracies, in the event of war. Seventyfive per cent, now favour selling food to England and France, and 52 per cent, favour planes and munitions. Eighty-three per cent, are against assisting with the United States Army and Navy, but the Institute reports that there is growing fear that America will not be able to stay out; also a belief that Germany and Italy will attack the United States, if England and France are vanquished. • The survey stresses the momentous shift going on within America. Two weeks before the Munich Conference, the Institute found that a majority of Americans opposed even the sending of food to England and France. It now finds that public opinion favours revision of the provisions of the Neutrality Act. Mr. Roosevelt, according to the New York “Herald-Tribune,” is prepared to back the neutrality repeal move, but will not take the lead, It is reported that he wants authority. to permit belligerents to buy supplies, if they are prepared to pay cash, and to transport munitions in their own ships. It is believed that this will harmonise with American traditions of neutrality, yet will carry out the Administration’s policy of assisting the Democracies. Theoretically, both the totalitarians and the democracies are able to buy armaments, but actually, only the democracies have the naval power to protect their ships. It Avas revealed to-day, that over three-fourths of American exports of armaments in the past two months went to England and France. Britain took 11,711,030 dollars’ worth, and France 5,594,428 dollars’ worth. Italy and Japan were not granted a solitary license. Exports to Germany amounted to only 535 dollars.

GERMANY NEEDS PEACE (Rec. March 13, 11.30 a.m.) BERLIN, March 12. Tn a speech on Heroes’ Ray, Admiral Raeder said: Germany wants and needs many years of peace, for reconstruction, but a weak Germany will not secure it.

PACIFIC CONFERENCE REPRESENTATIVES ANNOUNCED [PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, March 12. The Prime Minister (Mr. Savage) announced to-day that as a result of a suggestion put forward about the middle of last year by His Majesty’s Government, in New Zealand, which has since been under discussion by the Governments concerned, arrangements have now been completed for a meeting in New Zealand in the near future of a conference between represntatives of the Governments of the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth of Australia, and New Zealand to consider Pacific, questions of common concern, with special reference to defence. The United Kingdom representatives will be the High Commissioner in New Zealand for His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom (Sir Harry Batterbee) and the High Commissioner for the Western Pacific (Sir Harry Luke). The Australian representatives will be Vice-Admiral Sir Ragnar Colvin (First Naval Member of the Commonwealth Naval Board) and senior officers of the Australian Army and Air Force.

The names of the New Zealand representatives will be announced later.

MR. LYONS’ STATEMENT [BY CABLE PRESS ASSN. COPYRIC.nT.] CANBERRA, March 12. The Prime Minister of Australia (Mr. J. A. Lyons) said to-day that as a result of a suggestion made last year by the New Zealand Government, arrangements were now completed for a meeting in New Zealand in the near future. The Australian representatives, in addition to Vice-Admiral Sir

Ragnar Colvin, will be Colonel V. A. H. Sturdee and Wing Commander G. Jones. The discussions of the experts. Mr. Lyons added, would not commit the Federal Government in any respect, as questions of policy, for either peace or war. were subjects for determination by the Governments concerned. Questions of policy would be reserved for consideration between Ministers at Imperial Conferences.