MR. ROOSEVELT'S SPEECH

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 March 1941, Page 7

MR. ROOSEVELT'S SPEECH

WORLD WIDELY IMPRESSED

RUSSIAN ADMISSION

[BY CABLE—PRESS ASSN.—COPYRIGHT.]

LONDON, March 16

Herr Hitler is now left in no doubt that he is facing not only the might of Britain and the Empire, with their Allies, but also the whole of the vast resources of the United States. Soviet Russia frankly admits the value of American aid, and the whole of a Russian radio news bulletin was devoted to an explanation of the act, and of the help which it will bring to Britain.

South American newspapers feature the speech on their front pages with huge headlines. One Argentine newspaper says that Mr. Roosevelt has confronted Fascism and reaffirmed his faith in democracy. The Australian Prime Minister (Mi’ Menzies) has declared that the speech will put heart into all lovers of freedom. , The Turkish radio said Mr. Roosevelt’s speech was the strongest utterance ever made by a president of the United States. The hopes of the Axis that United States aid would arrive too late had now been dispelled.

LORD HALIFAX CONFIDENT

(Recd. March 18, 1.41 p.m.) WASHINGTON, March 17.

Lord Halifax asserted to-day, that Germany would be unable substantially to interrupt the flow of American supplies to Britain. He indicated that only a small percentage of American goods was now failing to reach England. He expected the intensified German submarine campaign to make little difference in deliveries. Lord Halifax described Mr. Roosevelt’s speech as magnificent, and said that it put new heart into all those countries that intend to remain free.

GERMAN PRESS THREAT.

(Recd. March 18, noon). BERLIN, ! March 17.

While the Wilhelmstrasse declines to comment on Mr. Roosevelt’s speech, on the ground that it has far more important matters under consideration, the “Diplomaticshe Korrespondenz” says that American intervention in the European conflict would be dangerous, and would be met with morevigorous measures.

JAPANESE OPINION

(Recd. March 18, Noon). TOKIO, March 17.

The Japanese Government-con-trolled “Times” says: Mr. Roosevelt’s speech meant a world war. By alarmist oratory, employed with force and flower, the United States President disclosed an attempt to unite under one banner all the democracies not at present engaged in hostilities. Plainly, it is now a world war—the totalitarian nations with the Axis on one side, and the democratic totalitarian nations on the other. Whichever side wins, the world will get a new order of regimentation.

CHINESE ESTIMATE

CHUNGKING, March 17

The paper “Takungpao,” in an editorial, says: “President Roosevelt’s speech has ‘shattered a new Japanese rumour’ regarding the American Minister, Mr Currie’s findings while in China . . . Mutual aid for the democracies has become a fixed United States principle.” Another paper, the “Kuominkungpao,” says: “Mr Roosevelt’s promise to China will make the entire world realise that the United States is backing anti-aggressionists in Europe and in Asia. The speech will undoubtedly have chilled Mr Matsuoka, who is en route for Berlin. ... We hope that American arms and munitions will come to us as soon as possible so that we shall be able to unfold a counteroffensive against the Japanese.”

AUSTRALIAN WELCOME

SYDNEY, March 17

The Australian Press has featured Mr Roosevelt’s speech, which has greatly heartened the people of the Commonwealth. Editorials express the sentiment that never before in the memorable series of addresses whereby he had progressively educated the American people on the war issues has Mr Roosevelt spoken with such sureness and authority. The “Sun” says: “The President’s speech was a plain warning to the Germans that only a short step remains towards active hostilities,”