IN AMERICA

Hokitika Guardian, 20 September 1938, Page 5

IN AMERICA

HOLDING ALOOF CABINET CONSIDERATION. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright). WASHINGTON, September 18. Reports are recurring that certain New Deal supporters are urging Mw Roosevelt to make some dramatic gesture in the inteerstg of world. peace, preferably by summoning a peace conference, .However, many observers state that it is uniilfeiy that the President will risk direct involvement in Europe.

Six peace organisations to-day urged him to maintain isolation, expressing fears that he was acting in concert with France and Britain, and asked him to issue a clear-cut pronouncement, upon bis attitude.

The Cabinet to-night is watching the fast-breaking developments in Europe, but is maintaining strict silence.

The Secretary of State (Mr Cordell Hull) is keeping in constant touch with United States observers abroad. He and certain departmental chiefs have been granted instant access to' the White House.

It is reported that in order to ensure strict neutrality the Navy Maritime Commission has formulated a plan by which' alb United States ships will be placed under Government Control upon the outbreak of hostilities.

The moderate press; which is carrying a vast quantity of European news, giving an intelligent picture of the situation, emphasises the extent to which' the world is involved. The extreme newspapers, provoked by the growing number of speeches sympathetic to the democracies, are screaming louder for America to keep out of the war. .

The “New York Inquirer” tof-day gives a fantastic interpretation of history since the Great War. After picturing Mr Chamberlain' as “beeping hundreds of millions of Britishers in abject subjugation by bayonets; bombs and bullets,” it coins the slogan, “Perish Czechoslovakia, perish Europe, God save America.”

The! New jYo,rk • “Post” refrained from editorial attack, but published a series of bitterly anti-British articles, , alleging that the Empire .was founded on slavery, oppression and intrigue. It, forecast revolution and the •-disintegration of the Empire in the event of war, . In a further attack against - Fascism, the Governor of New York (Mr H. H. Lehmann), addressing a large crowd at Prospect Park, declared that lethargy 'Knd \cdmplacence were the greatest threat to democracy. “Militant democracy.” he said, “is the only certain defence against dictatorship.' If we falter for an instant in our devotion to the principles on which the United 1 States -was built, democracy is-doomed. We must stand affirmatively arid miilttantly Sfor the principles ot democracy.” " ; CANADIAN APPEAL. MADE TO MR ROOSEVELT. TORONTO, . September 19. Appealing tjo Mr Roosevelt to provide fresh leadership to stave off war, the “Toronto Globe and Mail,” in a leading article, says that the President could forestall a conflict,, without committing the United States. “We ask Mr Roosevelt,’ the article states, “to follow Mr Chamberlain’s magnificent procedure and ignore the ordinary diplomatic customs and appeal to Herr Hitler for a conference of Powers to which Mr Roosevelt would go in person by the first available boat, free from political association with the issues involved, and free even from the fear of bombers over his people. “The President could provide tbe restraining influence of a dispassionate mind, and the inspiration that his 'only interest is in saving human lives.”