NO U.S. OFFER

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20632, 13 August 1941, Page 9

NO U.S. OFFER

PLAN OF SETTLEMENT WARNING REITERATED DANGEROUS SITUATION (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Aug. 12, 2.15 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Aug. 11. Mr. Cordell Hull, in a press interview to-day, said there was no basis for the report that the United States had offered a plan of settlement, involving certain concessions to Japan, if the Japanese would withdraw from the Axis. He added that if the United States took up anything with Japan regarding a general settlement, it would be based on all the fundamental principles already enumerated. Any rapprochement would have to start from the creation of a peaceful order in the Orient, as outlined in the note to Japan in 1937. Mr. Hull said that if Congress failed to extend the period of army service, it would have an extremely bad psychological effect on the international situation. Unaware of Dangers On the general question of whether the dangers warranted an extension, Mr. Hull replied: “The reading of newspaper headlines should emphasise the reality of the warnings.” Pressmen pointed out that some members of Congress appeared utterly unaware of these dangers. Mr. Hull said that that seemed to be the matter with the country. One reporter suggested that Mr. Hull and other leaders should go before the country and use a few cuss words. Mr. Hull replied that one of the many criticisms directed against him was that he had used too many cuss words. Johnston and Palmyra, strategic islands in the Pacific, will be taken over by the United States Navy and Air Commands this week. The islands will be used as bases for patrol and emergency landing fields and fuel depots for seaplanes operating from Hawaii. The bases, will be rushed to completion.