ROOSEVELT CONCERNED

Greymouth Evening Star, 24 August 1939, Page 7

ROOSEVELT CONCERNED

RETURNING TO WASHINGTON PEACE GESTURE POSSIBLE [BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.} (Received August 24, 11 a.m.) WASHINGTON, August 23. Gravely concerned about the crisis, Mr. Roosevelt and Mr. Hull are hastening to Washington, where the question of the United States making a peace move will probably be discussed to-morrow. The .Abting'Socretary of State (Mr. Sumner Welles)' has advised Americans not to travel to Europe. He added that the American Embassies in France and Poland have warned their nationals to leave. A second extraordinary conference of Army, Navy, and Civil Department chiefs was held to-day, to discuss American moves; .. . . Mr. Roosevelt has ordered the cruiser Tuscaloosa to put in at Sandy Hook, New Jersey, at 8 a.m. to-mor-row. A special train, with the White House staff, is. awaiting the President, so that he can work as it speeds to Washington. ' EVACUATION PLANS. AMERICANS IN EUROPE. WASHINGTON, August 23' The Acting-gecretary of State (Mr. Sumner Welles), Army and Navy chiefs, and a score of Officials from five departments, conferred at length tonight and discussed, arrangements for evacuating 100,000 Americans from Europe. ' They also examined, steps to preserve American neiitraßty in the event of war. It is learned that nine new members are being appointed to the War Resources Board in preparation for an emergency. ,

Earlier the Polish Ambassador (Count Potocki) waited on Mr. Welles and emphasised that Poland would defend herself against territorial demands, even if deserted by Britain and France. >.

The American Ambassador to Poland (Mr. A. J. D. Biddle) was authorised to warn Americans there of the danger of conflict. The American Ambassador (Mr. Kennedy) returned to London by air from the south of France. He spent an hour at the Foreign Office. WARNING TO TOURISTS CANNES, August 23. The United States Consular authorities have advised tourists to prepare to depart from the vicinity of the Italian frontier.

STOCK MARKET SLUMP.

(Received August 24, 1.15 p.m.) NEW YORK, August 23. The increasing tension abroad sent stocks down to-day, on the worst break since April S. Grains- soared, while corn is up three cents. Wheat reached a five cent limit at Winnipeg, and the American market lifted three cents. * Canada is prepared to ship wheat to Britain, in the event of war, and the Wheat Pool withdrew its offerings from the- market. Sugar futures, another prime war commodity, rose several points. Bonds in New York continued to decline. United States steel is down two cents for a new 1939 low level, and the industrial average has fallen off 3.25 points. Gold losses in Toronto amounted to 20 cents.