U.S.A. AND WAR

Grey River Argus, 6 August 1940, Page 6

U.S.A. AND WAR

“KEEP-OUF MOVEMENT Colonel Lindbergh’s Patronage LAus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] CHICAGO, August 4. Colonel Lindbergh attended a War Veterans’ anti-war rally at Chicago, and gave a radio address from a mass meeting organised by the “Citizens’ Keep America Out of War Committee.” Colonel Lindbergh, addressing a peace, rally of 50,000 persons, asserted that foreign and domestic interests were endeavouring to draw the United States into the European war. He urged the United States “to rearm fully for defence,” also to "take the leadership in the efforts for peace. “Let us offer Europe a plan for the progress and protection or Western civilisation, of which they and we each form a part,” he said. Colonel Lindbergh asserted that United States opinion was now definitely overwhelmingly against involvement in the war, and said that the time had arrived for the Unitee. States to consider its relationship with post-war Europe. He advocated noninterference in European internal affairs, but expressed the opinion that it was of the utmost importance tnai the United States should co-operate with Europe. H, e said that war be-1 tween the two hemispheres could easily last for generations, and bring all civilisation tumbling down.

“I have a different outlook towards Europe than most people in America,” he said. “I am told that I must nut stand too strongly against the trend of the times, and that, to be effective, what one says must meet wih geneial approval. I prefer to say what I believe, or not to speak at all. 1 don’t offer my opinion as an expert, but rather as a citizen who is alarmed at th e position our country has reached in this era of experts.” “We are often told that, if Germany wins the war, co-operation will be impossible, and treaties will be mere scraps of paper. I reply that co-operation is never impossible when ther e is sufficient gain on both sides, and treaties are seldom torn apart when they don’t cover wean; nations, I believe that we should rearm fully for the defence, of America, and should never make the type or treaty which will lay us open to invasion if it were broken; but, if we refuse to consider treaties with the dominant nation in Europe, regardless of who that may be, w. e will remove all possibility of peace.” NEW U.S.A. PARTY. ITALIAN ESTIMATES. ROME, August 4“11 Messagero” asserts that Lind-1 bergh is forming a new party, known I as the “Party of True Americans,” and asserts that isolationism is becoming stronger, hence the chances of United States intervention in the war, are weaker. CHICAGO PAPER. ATTACKS “KEEP OUT” RALLY. CHICAGO, August 4. The “Chicago Daily News” bitterly attacks the Lindbergh rally, as defeatist and disloyal. It says: The headliners (meaning Lindbergh) are only a minor part of the real shot*, which is being surreptitiously encouraged by the counterfeit “German American National Alliance.” and similar organisations. We may be sure that Goebbels is interested. It states that pro-Nazi organisations have been urged to attend tne meeting.

CONSCRIPTION ADVOCATES. IF HITLER WON? CHICAGO, August 4. A radio counterblast in favour of conscription has been launched b.\ the Navy Secretary (Colonel Knox>, who says that conscription is essential to the defence of the Western l Hemisphere. “If Britain’s sea power lis broken or seized, the Atlantic | ceases to be a barrier, and become ,an express highway for hosti c ! forces.” He asserted that an Ax's victory would inevitably resu.t in Hi ler bidding to obtain wealth and raw materials from the Americas. Colonel Adler, who is civilian ame to the Secretary for War, said, in a radio address: “If th e British Fleet ?s j scattered or seized, what is to stop Hitler bringing his armies, tanks and I guns to the Western Hemisphere - . Even with Europe in his grip, he W'li i need raw materials from the i Americas. He will try to obtain econ- ! omic and political penetration. If he fails, he will try force.” Mr Patterson, Assistant-Secretary, also spoke on th e radio. Ho said: “America needs an army of 1,300,U1>U men. We are committed to delen the hemisphere from Point Barrow to Tierra del Fuego. Th. e only, way is conmulsory military training. P WASHINGTON, August 2. President Roosevelt reaffirmed bus endorsement of the principal of conscription: “I am in favour of tne Selective Training Bill, and consider it essential for adequate national defence.” , Mr Roosevelt added that he not only hoped but believed Congress would enact the Bill this session, to pic vide sufficient manpower to operate the war machines being assembled. He said he would not number himself with details, and wou.d rot endorse any specific bill or provisions in the bill. , ~ i President Roosevelt is pressing icr / conscription, despite warnings from ■ Liberal groups that it is p-olitn.-iily unpopular. Some observers doubt whether President Roosevelt would attempt such a move unless he believed that events in Europe would soon make conscription more popular, i

President Roosevelt’s insistence on total national defence has impressed observers that the United States is preparing for eventualities. The feeling exists that the Government anticipates being required to defend objectives in the Western Hemisphere or the Far East instead of Europe. Developments have not yet crystallised, but Congressional circles which usually know believe that events are moving fast. Usually reliable Congressional sources are predicting that the United States will shortly intensify her aid

i.c. Britain. It is stated that the Administration has studied several measures of assistance, involving possibly ships, for convoys. Simultaneously, considerable credence is given to reports that the Democratic leaders are seeking an implicit understanding with the Republicans with the object of. removing the question of aid to Britain from the arena of party politics.

WASHINGTON, August 4. Mr Edgar Hoover and Mr Robert Jackson called representatives in 48 States, on Monday and Tuesday, to report on the anti-espionage campaign. They will read a message from Mr Roosevelt, who is expecte < to head a nation-wide drive. The Federal Bureau of Investigation has handled 16,885 cases since the war began, and surveyed 270 munitions plants. GRAF SPEE OFFICERS ARRESTED BUENOS AIRES, August 4. Four non-commissioned officers from the Graf Spee were arrested, ar Rio Negro, as they tried to escape to Chile.