IN AMERICA

Hokitika Guardian, 21 September 1938, Page 5

IN AMERICA

RELIEF EELT AT PEACE PROSPECTS. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright). • WASHINGTON, September 20. There is relief felt in the capital city at the prospect of avoiding war. The relief here at the prospect of avoiding war is mixed with a quiet sense of dismay that Herr Hitler has won a diplomatic victory. Jt is felt that he . will --continue along a path of aggression through an armed threat. The reaction in Washington is similar to a “let-down” feeling, as in February, when Mr Eden was resignup and when Britain recognised the conquest of Ethiopia. Just prior to that the United States, with Britain, had been admonishing aggressors and mustering moral sentiment against their acts. Neither White House nor the State Department wishes to pass moral judgment on Britain, but Mr Chamberlain’s willingness to make broadest concessions after' first opposing them,, has led to a feeling that if America had said anything she might “be out on a limb.”

There is no slackening in the attitude of aloofness of the United States.

CONGRESS NOT TO BE CALLED WASHINGTON, September 20. After conferring with President Roosevelt, Mr Mcßeynolds, the chairman of the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee, said: “There is no reason for calling a special session of Congress.” LEADING FRENCH LABOURITE. OPPOSES THE COMPROMISE. WASHINGTON; September 20. While returning from a Labour conference in Mexico, Leon Jouluiux as leader of five million French workers, waited on President Roosevelt, and pleaded with him to convene a world peace conference. M. Jouhaux expressed the opinion that Mr Roosevelt was the only man with sufficient international prestige to make such a conference possible.

M. Jouhaux later declared that French Labour will demand that the Chamber of Deputies shall repudiate the Czechoslovakian dismemberment plan.

President Roosevelt continues to maintain his silence in regard to the crisis. '"I

PROFESSOR’S ATTACK. NEW YORK, September 20. Returning to Massachusetts, from Europe, J. Anton de Haas, Professor of International Relations at Harvard said: “Britain is not only selling out Czechoslovakia for the sake of temporary peace, hut is striking at the existence of the Empire. Britain is losing control over Asia Minor, and ultimately over India.”

A COMPLETE SURRENDER. NEW YORK, September 19.. The latest edition of the “New York Times” states: “The terms on which the British and French Governments are reported to have 'agreed, constitute so complete a surrender, that Liberal opinion everywhere will prefer to regard them as incredible, until confirmed or explained in official statements.” It adds:' “It seems there wero and are other alternatives than capitulation to the threat of force, so complete as to establish the rule of force henceforward, as the dominant factor in international relations.”

U.S.A. INTERVENTION. THE IDEA DENOUNCED. WASHINGTON, September 19. In a warning against propaganda to secure American .intervention Senator Borah, in a blunt statement, characterised the Francp-British capitulation as extraordinary, but emphasised “It isn’t our affair!”

The statement came shortly after several capital developments indicated a possible extension and strengthening of the neutrality provisions, and adherence to the “Hands Off European Affairs” tradition.

Mr Borah said of M. Blum’s request that Mr Ro'osevelt should intercede. “It would have been more in harmony with French honour had M. Blum given attention to the fact that France has a solemn treaty with Czechoslovakia to aid her. Instead of advising the United States on her duty, M. Blum should have advised his own people courageously to stand by the treaty. His suggestion really means that the United States should furnish money and men in the case of war. Mr Roosevelt and Mr Hull ignored M. Blum's suggestion. State officials hastened to explain that such requests were not considered as official. Thus far, no foreign Government has asked the United States for advice or collaboration.