WAR ON WAR

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 11947, 18 May 1933, Page 5

WAR ON WAR

ROOSEVELT'S APPEAL TO WORLD

WEAPONS bE AGGRESSION SHOULD BE ELIMINATED. A PLAIN-SPOKEN MESSAGE. OLP.A. by Elec.-'l’cb Gopyi igljM WASHINGTON, May ]GThe President,' Mr. Franklin Roosevelt, to-day appealed directly to the rulers of nations to reduce armaments to eliminate entirely weapons of aggression, to refrain from-sending any armed force whatsover beyond' thenown boundaries, to forget ‘petty” national aims, and t 0 join sincerely lo assure- peace and economic recovery. STRIKES ROOTS OF STRIFE. ROOSEVELT MESSAGE THROUGH A MKRJ CA N SPECTACL ES. LEADING WORLD AWAY FROM WAR. (U.P.A. by Elec Tel. Ccgyrgiht (Rec. M’uy 17, 5 p.m.) WASHINGTON, May IG. Mr. Roosevelt to-niglit stood forth with a direct appeal to renounce 'aggression and abolish powerful weapons ol" attack that the nations of the world may move together toward peace and prosperity amid acclaim from tho elected representatives. The President said lie turned expectantly toward Berlin, Tokio and other important capitals, orr whose reaction depends the success of his efforts to lead the world away from war and talk of war. Ho resounded America’s approval of Mr. Ramsay MacDonald’s arms plan, and held that, encouragement might be drawn from tlie preliminary dispatches, saying that his message had been very favorably received by German statesmen for most of all officials at Washington were concerned with the attitude of Hitlerite Germany.

The message is seen in official quarters as stnking at the roots °r the strife in the Far East; of open war in South America, and of foreboding troublous days in Europe, arising from dissatisfaction with the Versailles Treaty. OUTSTANDING TOPIC. ROOSEVELT FORESTALLS HITLER (U.P.A by Eleo. Tel Copyright'(Rec. May 17, 7 p.m.) LONDON, May I<. President- Roosevelt’s message is the outstanding' topic in every European capital. The fact that it was despatched to fifty, nations throughout the world had a highly dramatic effect, especially in association with the intense anxiety as to Herr Hitler's Reichstag speech, which message it- was manifestly intended to forestall.

Thy Daily Herald says that Mr Roosevelt’s message is an appeal to the commonsense of the world. Nerves have been jangled by recent events and suspicious and fears have been aroused. In such moods, statesmen may commit irreparable follies. Dir. Roosevelt's suggestion for a new pledge of non-aggression may help tn allay fears. The Times, in a leader, characterises Mr. Roosevelt's appeal as the most stirring nations of -the world have yet heard’ heard for concerted political and economic action. Dir. MacDonald again - clarified--Britain’s position by his wholehearted response tp Mr. Roosevelt’s proposals, but- a reply cannot he expected -so quickly from countries nearer. Continental political upheavals, which believe that armed force is only prevention and cure for certain national frenzies. It is important that Mr. Roosevelt should have re-stated America’s readiness to participate in the consultative pact. America, by abstain ing from neutrality in an international coniliet. would facilitate the work of countries ready to penalise illegal resort to force.

SENSATION IN NEW YORK. WOULD HAVE STARTLED OLDER GENERATION. (UFA. by Elec. Tel. CuDii-ight' (Ree. May 17, 10.45 p.m.) NEW YORK, May 17. Mr. Roosevelt’s message to the rul T ers of the world created as much sensation hero as anywhere. Unofficial comment stresses that its Wilsonian flavour, its diplomatic unortho doxy, its consciousness df power, its keynote of resumption by America, ol her share of responsibility in strife has torn the family of nations. IVhat i s regarded as one of the greatest con tributions to the plan is the possibility of lasting Franco-German peace by relieving both nations of the haunting fear of unexpected attackTho President now makes clear his idea, ol' punishment for tho nation which violated its nou-agrression pledge. Press reaction to the address is universally favorable, a s are the comments. The New York Times, in a leader, expresses the opinion that tlie intimation clearly given is that the United States Government is prepared not only to supplement and strengthen the Bnaiid-Koilogg pact, hut also to join in enforcing it. It declares that Mr. Roosevelt perceived a great opportunity. and sought to live up to his' solemn responsibility. The message is broader in scope and more daring than ever [were words of the late President, Wilson, used -m 'the midst of tlio World War. Its audacity would have startled an older American geiievaFidn.