ROOSEVELT APPEALS

Greymouth Evening Star, 25 August 1939, Page 7

ROOSEVELT APPEALS

TO KING VICTOR EMMANUEL EFFORT TO PRESERVE PEACE [BY CABLE PRESS ASSN. COPYRIGHT.] (Recd. August 25, 10 a.m.) WASHINGTON, August 24. Mr. Roosevelt has appealed to King Victor Emmanuel, to use his good offices to avert war. He said: The United States accepts as a fact that all nations “have the absolute right to maintain their national independence, if they so desire,’’ and added: “If that be a sound doctrine, then it must apply to the weaker nations, as well as to the stronger. ’ ’

The President’s new effort to preserve world peace was announced by the State Department, as Mr. Roosevelt sped to Washington to take personal command of the situation. The United States Ambassador to Italy, Mr. William Phillips, has transmitted the appeal to the King. It was sent to no other country but Italy. Mr. Roosevelt said: If the idea of the independence of all nations is accepted, this means peace, because the fear of aggression ends. The alternative, which means of necessity efforts by the strong to dominate the weak, will lead not only to war, but to Jong future years of oppression on the part of the victor, and to rebellion on the part of the vanquished. The President asked the King to have ..the Italian Government formulate proposals for a peaceful solution of the present crisis. The message was a surprise appeal, because it appeared to assume that the Italian Government is not. a direct party to developing the war crisis. The message was addressed directly to the King, and was not* sent to the heads of any other Governments involved in the crisis. Mr. Cordell Hull said that copies were being sent to American diplomatic representatives in other European countries, which presumably will be given to the Governments of those countries as a mattei' of information. The reason for Mr. Roosevelt’s selection of the Italian King as the recipient is not stated. Usually, when the use of good offices is suggested, the suggestion is customarily sent to some mutual Government, and not to one of the Powers involved in the controversy. The President specificially said:— “Were it possible for Your Majesty’s Government to formulate proposals for a pacific solution of the present crisis along these lines (peaceful conversations tOi consider political and territorial problems), you are assured of the earnest sympathy of the United States. The Governments of Italy and the United States can to-day advance those ideals of Christianity which of late seem so often to have been obscured.”

VON RIBBENTROP’S CONFIDENCE. BERLIN, August 24. Herr von Ribbentrop, broadcasting, said: Everything the Fuehrer does is right, consequently the German-Rus-sian pact in the best thing for Germany. The Fuehrer mastered the previous crisis, and will master this one. The News Agency quotes Herr von Ribbentrop as saying: Herr Hitler and M. Stalin have decided to be friends. The pact will prove a firm foundation, whereon Russia and Getmany will.build in close co-operation. This is one of the most-important turning points' in the history of the two peoples. I am.convinced that the pact will have a favourable effect on Russo-Japanese and German-Japanese relations. BALTIC -STATES RELIEVED. TALLINN (Estonia), August 24. The Russo-German pact has considerably relieved Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, who regard their neutrality as strengthened, because it is not believed that Russia and Germany trust each other in the Baltic. The general question of guaranteeing the Baltic States is regarded as dead.

“SHAM FRONTS DOWN.” AMERICAN PRESS COMMENT , NEW YORK, August 24. The ‘‘New York Times,” in a leading article, says: “If all appeals to reason fail, and if war comes, it must be clear to every American that with Russia out and with the possibility that she may even support the Germans with supplies, our relation to the conflict is materially and morally changed. “At last there is a democratic front. The sham fronts are down, and the anti-democratic systems are on the one side and the democracies on the other. , , “Inevitably we are more deeply engaged in the conflict. Not only will pressure on the United States be increased, but its responsibility will be greater. With Russia definitely out, the Powers opposing Germany will be more dependent on this country. If war comes we will be the only important source of supplies. This is really what the American people are forced to face in this crucial hour.” EXODUS OF .TEWS. LONDON. August 24. News of the Moscow pact has caused a panic and an exodus of Jews from Slovakia to Hungary. Frontier guards confiscated their money and valuables before allowing them to leave.

BROADCAST BY POPE. “WHOLE WORLD WANTS PEACE'’ (Recd August 25, 10 a.m.) ROME, August 24. Speaking in quiet, earnest tones, the Pope in his broadcast, said: In this grave hour, I must talk of peace. Jesus wanted all men to be brothers, and I earnestly appeal to the Governments, rulers, and peoples. Justice cannot be obtained by violence. War is futile and will cause only bloodshed and destruction to our Fatherland. We pray that the rulers will make the utmost effort for peace. The hearts of mothers and fathers are beating with ours. The whole world wants peace, bread, and work, not steel and war. ITALIAN RESTRAINT ROME August 24. The calling up of further Italian reservists has been delayed, in order to avoid aggravating the crisis. There is still a. certain optimism in Italy, and no sign of alarm in the streets of Rome. ; Official circles do not disguise their anxiety to avoid a catastrophe. CRISIS APPROACHING. WILL GERMAN ARMY MARCH? LONDON, August 24. The world this morning stands in the shadow of war. Everyone expected that the pact between Russia and Germany would be signed, but scarcely anyone thought it would give Germany a completely free hand, with Russia in the role of friendly spectator.. There is every indication that the next 48 hours will be decisive. The pause before the final blow may even be shorter. The early morning announcement of the signing of the pact completely suprised European capitals, and for this reason Press comment is almost entirely lacking. One grave fact stands out, as Herr Hitler awaits Herr von Ribbentrop at Berchtesgaden: Germany’s army stands at arms. The danger that it may receive the order to march increases hourly. • Mobilisation parties toured the Rhineland all night calling out reserves from their beds, from cafes, and theatres, and peremptorily requisitioning lorries and cars, which many youngsters without military training were forced to drive. Observers have not overlooked the importance of the arrival of the Minister for Propaganda (Dr. Goebbels) at Berchtesgaden. He helps Herr Hitler frame his vital proclamations and usually broadcasts them over the air on behalf of the Fuehrer. Equipment is moving east hourly from Berlin, where anti-aircraft guns have appeared on the tops of buildings, and air-raid precautions are being perfected. Although the Berlin newspapers do not comment on the Moscow pact, they direct further tirades against Poland. Typical of these is the “Boersen Zeitung’s” conclusion that the “time has now arrived to strike the knife from the hand of the crazed Polish maniac.” SIEGFRIED LINE STRENGTHENED. BASLE, August 24. There is considerable concentration of German troops in the frontier district of Baden, strengthening the garrison on the southern flank of the Siegfried Line. The military authorities have taken over whole villages. Many units in this sector were brought from Austria and the Sudetenland. There are similar concentrations in Upper Alsace, NAZISM AND BOLSHEVISM. LONDON, August 24. The Pai’is correspondent of the Associated Press says: Among the few comments on the Moscow pact the paper “Epoque” denounces the scandalous collusion of Nazism and Bolshevism. It declares: Any backward step now is impossible, unless the democracies want to be under Herr Hitler’s heel before next year. “Epoque” concludes: Let us tell Herr Hitler that if he wants war, we are ready! SOVIET OPINION. MOSCOW, August 24. “Izvestia” voices the official Soviet opinion. It says: “The pact ends the hostility between Russia and Germany. That hostility enemies on both sides have tried to fan and to perpetuate.” TURKEY STANDS FIRM. LONDON, August 24. It is reported from Berlin that the German Ambassador-at-Large, Herr von Papen, is on his way to Istanbul, where he hopes to wean Turkey from the democratic front. The Nazis consider there is now every possibility of success. Official quarters in Istanbul, however. say that Turkey adheres to her agreements with Britain and France. The German authorities have advised Turkish exporters to despatch, before Tuesday, all goods destined for Germany. All goods will be refused after then. It is feared that this is tantamount to a hint that war is imminent. The Italians have already withdrawn all their goods from the Customs, and the Germans have ceased buying. DUTCH PRECAUTIONS I AMSTERDAM. August 24. i Holland has ordered a preliminary mobilisation.