IN AMERICA

Hokitika Guardian, 17 September 1938, Page 5

IN AMERICA

GENERAL SUPPORT FOR MR CHAMBERLAIN’S GESTURE (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright). NEW YORK, September 15. While Mr Roosevelt, spurred by the events in Europe, hurried to Washing- ; ton from a speaking tour, it' became f increasingly evident that not only did the United States public whole-hearted-ly support Mr Chamberlain’s decision to (visit Herr Hitler, but that no single j action by Mr Chamberlain could be i more likely to fire the imagination of Americans as a whole, and brush aside their traditional suspicion of British motives Retrospective to the European war, shake their isolationist viewpoint, and place them in a receptive attitude towards backing up Britain’s effort to maintain peace in Europe, and if need be abandon their pacifist attitude. •

Mr Roosevelt has cancelled his regular Friday press conference. He is not commenting on foreign and domestic affairs at present. The Secretary of State (Mr Cordell Hull), in a statement, which he declined to amplify, said: “The historic conference between Mjr Chamberlain and the German Chancellor is being observed with the greatest interest 'by'all nations, which are deeply concerned with tlie preservation of peace.” ' He said he would await Mr Roosevelt at' the railway station to-night ’and woffld" 'immediately confer with,, him. White House officials are greatly interested in the communique announcing that Mr Chamberlain is returning to London to-morrow to consult the Cabinet. It is felt here that this indicates that the A conversation was successful, apparently' permitting concise proposals on which the British Government can act.

Another interesting aspect of the British position in the European situation is seen in the announcement that Britain obtained arms export licenses in August from the-United States for 1,152,000 dollars,.' chipfly for. aircraft. This marks the beginning of the purchase of 400 aeroplanes.. Britain was the largest purchaser of arms for the month.

The consensus of opinion seemed to be that it was a direct, blunt, and almost typically American approach to the problem. *

Tlie American attitude is aptly illustrated by the action of the '‘New York Times” in alterjng its leading article in' the late editions to state that if Mr Chamberlain’s mission failed,,.never would war guilt have been more firmly fixed. n-;y} <m»> imj

That is the crux of the situation in America, where the man in the street is often ready to argue that the United States should '-never have: entered the Great War. Now it is impossible for any American doubt, as to the British neople’s sincere desire for peace, and Mr Chamberlain’s sudden decision has fired American imagination in dramatic fashion, which could not be doubted by any observer viewing the thousands massed in New, York’s Times. Sou are wnMnnar an electric sign carrying news bulletins from Europe.