RALLY TO ROOSEVELT

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 April 1939, Page 7

RALLY TO ROOSEVELT

SOUTH AMERICAN REPUBLICS WESTERN SOLIDARITY [by CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] WASHINGTON, April 16. The South American Republics which have been subjected to growing German and Italian influence, rallied to support Mr. Roosevelt’s dramatic peace appeal. Although persons close to the Administration doubt whether the dictators will accept the President's terms, it is significant that Argentina, which hitherto has blown hot and cold on propositions for solidarity of the Western Hemisphere, was the first nation to endorse the plea. Foreign affairs experts interpret Mr Roosevelt’s message as a genuine attempt to snatch Europe from the brink of war as well as an adroit manoeuvre to place the responsibility for war on the totalitarians. The Secretary of State (Mr. Cordell

Hull) spent Sunday at his office studying replies from a dozen American nations. The warmth of the leaders’ responses, as well as the outspoken newspaper comment, indicate that Western Hemisphere solidarity has advanced greatly since the Lima conference. The great South American newspaper, “La Prensa,” of Buenos Aires, comments: “One half of the world will not sit idly by and see the other half subdued by force.” Senator Key Pittman, chairman of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, and other expressed satisfaction over the Latin-American support. Senator Pittman said additional support from the smaller European countries might lend considerable weight to the programme which aimed at a round-table settlement of international disputes. He added that it would be very surprising if Mr. Roosevelt’s proposal was accepted instantly and in toto, but the move might pave the way towards obtaining a basis for eventual negotiations for a peaceful settlement. The appeal and the transfer of the fleet are expected to intensify the fight in Congress for changes in the neutrality law and the entire subject of the Administration’s policy, with the isolationists strengthening their demands for non-interven-tion.

Sizeable blocs in both chambers feel that Mr. Roosevelt has over-stepped the boundaries of the traditional American policy of non-involvement. Congress leaders allege that Mr. Roosevelt is seeking to create a war hysteria among the American people. Senator Pittman, in a broadcast address, pleaded for a strict cash-and-carry neutrality law and spoke against the proposals to give the President discretionary power to fix the extent of American neutrality. He said such plans would invite retaliation and would constitute a war threat to America.

The Administration maintains sil-

ence regarding the reasons for the transfer of the fleet. Naval officers prik vately described the move as political, ' Tathex- than strategic. The opinion is held in some quarters that the United States is playing a game of parallel power politics with England and France, designed to implement by sea and land the encirclement of the totalitarians. Senator W. H. King (Utah) holds that the stage is set for a bold Japanese move into the South Pacific, probably against the East Indies and even the Philippines.

DICTATORS “ON THE SPOT.”

The South American Republics and Canada to-night had all endorsed Mr. Roosevelt’s appeal. It was also learned authoritatively that independent European countries more or less threatened by aggression informed the President of their support. Messages from the latter have not been made public so as not to embarrass them.

The widespread impression that the plea has put the dictators “on the spot” is reflected in the declaration by Senor Arosamena, President of Panama, that “only minds set against the interests of world peace can formulate Objections against them.”

' The “New York Times,” anticipating the rejection of the appeal by Herr Hitler and Signor Mussolini, says: “Mr. Roosevelt’s initiative cannot properly be regarded as having failed, if it merely failed to achieve something unachievable. The dictators’ record is too full of broken promises for a pledge to keep the peace by either to alter the fundamentals of the present position. There is a more realistic standard by which to judge the results of the President’s initiative. “He sought to identify unmistakably the aggressors, in advance of war and to rally world opinion on the side of the victims of aggression. He has accomplished both purposes. Moreover, he may have made the outbreak of war less likely through his warning to the dictators that the risks involved are greater than they may assume. They are greater because the victims of German and Italian aggression can count on at least immense moral support everywhere throughout the world.” The New York “Herald-Tribune” comments: “It is no accident that the President’s message is so worded that, if not accepted at face value by the dictators, it will stand as an indictment of their policy, as a powerful act of doplimatic policy (backed up by the recall of the fleet) for the British and French coalition, as a warning to the axis, and so as a practical contribution to the prolongation of

peace by the only method—power poll

tics —which the axis Powers have ad- * mitted to have validity. It may not succeed. It involves certain, though minimal, risk of further American entanglement, but the maintenance of peace to-day is a matter of such importance to the United States —as to the rest of the world—that some risks ■ f seem plainly justified.” The President was at his desk in the White House throughout Sunday. Mr. Cordell Hull was in consultation with departmental officials all day and is reported to have discussed the possibility of a Japanese move, coinciding with the European developments. High naval officers conferred with the Navy Department. It is semi-officially confirmed that the fleet movement was a precautionary measure in the light of the Far Eastern situation.

BRITISH PRESS VIEWS.

LONDON, April 16. t The British newspapers, without dissent, extol Mr. Roosevelt. The “Daily Herald” remarks that if the dictators reject Mr. Roosevelt’s offer and force war on the world, their long list of enemies certainly will include the United States. EARL BALDWIN’S TRIBUTE OTTAWA, April 17. Earl Baldwin, who is the guest of Lord Tweedsmuir, pending a series of lectures, and the bestowal of a degree at the University of Toronto, declared: Mr. Roosevelt’s peace move is a courageous, statesmanlike attempt to ease a situation becoming intolerable to the ordinary man in every country of the world. Asked whether Canada was expected to help Britain, in the event of war, Earl Baldwin replied: That is Canada’s business. ITALIAN CONDEMNATION. LONDON, April 17. The Rome correspondent of the British United Press says Signor Mussolini’s own newspaper, “Popolo d’ltalia,” violently condemns Mr. Roosevelt’s message and calls on all Italians to reject it, declaring: “It does not clarify the international situation.”

“11 Messagero” says that the message is part of the general attack by the democracies, and, should it be considered as an act of war, the answer will be made in full accord with Berlin.

The “Popolo di Roma,” alleging that France is preparing for a naval war, says: The imposing strength of the French and British forces cannot frighten us. A section of the Berlin Press suggests, ironically, that Germany would perhaps consider the offer, if all the members of the conference were will-' ing to return the territories taken from Germany at the point of the revolver, over the conference table.

Dr. Gayda declares that Italy prefers to isolate Mi- Roosevelt from the rest of Americans, as an evil dictator.

JAPANESE OPINION. TOKIO, April 17. The vernacular Press asserts that Mr. Roosevelt’s speech embodies his personal views, and is not representative of American opinion, therefore it can be ignored. ARTIST’S PICTURE BANNED LONDON, April 17. The Royal Society of British Artists has banned Mr. Otway McCaxinell’s canvas, showing the devil weighing the heads of Herr Hitler and Signoi- Mussolini on the Scales of Justice, before a shocked audience, including the Pope, Mr. Chamberlain, and Mr. Roosevelt. The Society has requested the picture’s withdrawal, because “it might be misunderstood, in the present state of European affairs.”

, EIRE NEUTRALITY DENOUNCED. (Recd. April 18, 11.10 a.m.) LONDON, April 17. Lord Craigavon denounced Mr de Valera’s neutrality decision as “most cowardly, especialy in view of the extraordinary generosity oif Britain regarding the Anglo-Eire agreement. I repudiate most strongly the suggestion that we ’should join a country where such an attitude prevails. They can remain neutral, but we know our duty, and will amply fulfil it,” he said.

REPLY ON APRIL 28. (Received April IS. 8.45 a.m.) BERLIN, April 17. Herr Hitler has summoned the Reichstag to meet on April 28, to hear his reply to Mr. Roosevelt. An official communique states that Herr Hitler regards Mr Roosevelt’s telegram as so important that he has decided to announce his reply in the name of the German people, before a special meeting of the Reichstag, on April 28.