WILL STAY NEUTRAL

Grey River Argus, 5 September 1939, Page 8

WILL STAY NEUTRAL

THE UNITED STATES The President Emphatic [Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.l WASHINGTON, September 3. Mr. Roosevelt, in a nation-wide wireless address, again predicted the nation’s neutrality, but Insisted that he did not ask the people to close their minds and consciences, and pledged the United States to continue to work for peace. (Received September 4, 11.10 p.m.) WASHINGTON, September 3. In a broadcast to the nation President Roosevelt, said: “Until early this morning, I had hoped against hope that a miracle would prevent the devastating war which, to-day, unhappily is a fact. It is, of course, impossible to predict the future when the peace of all countries is endangered. Let no man or woman thoughtlessly, or falsely talk of sending American armies to foreign fields. There is now being prepared a proclamation ot neutrality. I trust that, in the days to come, our neutrality can be made true neutrality. “This nation will remain a neutral nation, but 1 cannot ask that every American shall remain neutral in thought as well. Even a neutral has a right to take account of facts. Even a neutral cannot be asked to close bis mind, or his conscience. I have said many times that I have seen war, and I hate war, and I will say that again and again. “I hope that the United States will stay out of this war. I believe that it will. As long as it remains within my power to prevent it, there will he no black-out of peace in the United States. I cannot prophesy the immediate economic effect of this war on the United States, but I say that no American has a moral right to profiteer at the expense either of his fellow citizens or of men, women and children who are living and dying in the midst of war in Europe.” WASHINGTON, September 3. White House announced that the State Justice Department is drawing up a proclamation involving the Neutrality Act. Apparently, the proclamation will not be issued until the United States is officially notified that Britain and France are at war, which is likely to be delayed by Sunday and the Monday holiday. The proclamation may immediately cut off British and French aeroplane purchases, here. It is believed that hardly half such order has already been filled. A special Cabinet, meeting has been called for 2 p.m. to-morrow, at which the subject is certain Io be discussed. ISOLATIONISTS AROUSED. (Received September 4, 10.30 p.m.) WASHINGTON, September 4. A special correspondent of the Associated Press of America, after totuing the traditional Isolationist Midwest writes: “A vast dread of war, yet an almost fatalistic acceptance of the idea that, sooner or later, America will become involved, is plainly evident in the farm belt. Bankers, politicians, store clerks and filling station workers have all expressed the same thought.—“We don’t want war, but we will probably be in there fighting before it is finished. Our sympathies die naturally with England and France. Just let London and Paris oe bombed, beat a few' drums, and a tremedous war sentiment, can be whipped up overnight!” This was written before the Athenia disaster shocked America.

U.S.A. EMBARGOES. (Received September 5, 3.25 a.m.) NEW YORK, September 4. The American United Press Washington representative authoritatively states that President Roosevelt will proclaim mandatory embargoes under the Neutrality Law within 36 hours. MR HOOVER’S IDEAS. NEW YORK, September 1. Mr Herbert Hoover, predecessor of President Roosevelt, in an address recounted his experience, immediately after the Great War, of caring tor “the homeless, the foodless, the frightened, and the helpless." In offering a proposal to outlaw war in the future, he went considerably farther than Mr Frank B. Kellogg, former Secretary of State, whose AntiWar Pact was signed by 59 nations, including Germany, Italy and Japan. Mr Hoover’s proposal is that all nations who are willing to do so should enter an agreement:— 1. That vessels laden solely with food supplies should be placed upon the same basis of immunity as hospital ships. They should go freely. Blockade should not apply to them. There should be no attack upon their passage by either warships or submarines.

2. That there shall be no bombing of civil populations and no bombing anywhere except in the field of actual fighting men on land or sea, and at works devoted strictly to munitions. 3. That the shipment of food supplies in war to any blockaded nation may be in full cargoes under the management and jurisdiction of a commission of the neutral nations.

4. That neutral observers should be continuously i n session within every belligerent country to determine the facts of any killing of civilians from the air. As for enforcement of such a unique proposal, Mr Hoover said that the real “teeth” behind it would be public opinion among neutral nations, which was one of the most potent forces W modern war. “In the strategy of modern war, one of the utmost anxieties of both sides is to hold the good will of neutrals —or at least to prevent their indignation forcing them to aid or join the enemy. The ill will of neutrals or their citizens at once induces informal boycotts and supplies, even if they go no farther. To influence neutral opinion in the Great War. every combatant spent millions in gigantic propaganda, and thev are spending millions again to-day.” Ten years ago, Mr Hoover recalled, he made that part of his present proposal, relating to the immunity of food ships in an Armistice Day speech, and it was approved by the leaders of a score of nations. Those nations who did not regard it with favour thought it one-sided. But they now found themselves hideously menaced from the air. The double proposal should now commend itself to them.