BRITAIN’S APPROVAL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 116, 17 April 1939, Page 7

BRITAIN’S APPROVAL.

OFFICIAL STATEMENT ISSUED. SECOND BIG EFFORT. (British Official "Wireless). RUGBY, April 15. President Roosevelt's initiative came as a surprise to tlie British Government. Both Air Chamberlain and Lord Halifax, on behalf of His Alajesty’s Government, warmly welcome the President’s action and have authorised the issue of the following statement :

“His Alajesty’s Government learned with cordial approval of tlie message which was communicated last night to Herr Hitler and Signor Mussolini by President Roosevelt and which lias now been issued to the Press. His Majesty’s Government entirely endorses President Roosevelt’s estimate of the international situation.

“It believes that the statesmanlike initiative which President Roosevelt has been inspired to take offers a real opportunity of averting the catastrophe which hangs over Europe and which the Government is convinced is feared in every country. “Replies from Germany and Ttnl.v must now be awaited. The British Government, for its part, desires to express the firm hope that those replies will npen the way to the further steps of which President Roosevelt speaks,” concludes the statement. SECOND EFFORT.

President Roosevelt’s personal message is the second important effort which lie has made within 48 hours for resolving the tense European situation. Though less direct, his speech yesterday to the Board of the PanAmerican Union has been welcomed by the Press.

It is warmly appreciated, particularly as it comes at a moment when the British Government is attempting to erect an edifice similar to that which the Americas enjoy and which was described by President Roosevelt as tile “will to peace based on the will to mutual defence against either military forco or economic pressure.” The Times says that perhaps the most striking of all the striking passages in President Roosevelt’s speech was that in which he poured scorn upon tho propagandist charge that co-

operation for defence and for peace involves the encirclement' or imprisonment of any nation. PARADOX NOTED.

The Daily Telegraph says: “It is a paradox of the times that the most pacific nation of all—one that is most resolute to keep herself free from all foreign entanglements—should yet, in effect, be in a position to give the law to a Continent armed to the tooth. “That is what imparts special force and meaning to President Roosevelt’s declaration to the Americas that they have an interest wider than that of the mere defences of their sea-fringed continent, and that American customs and actions are necessarily involved with the rest of the world —a world which is becoming a single economic unit.

“The issue, as he stated it, is whether our civilisation is to bo dragged into the tragio vortex of unending Imperialism punctuated by periodic wars. In that issue the Americas by their stake in world affairs, cannot help being vitally concerned. “President Roosevelt proclaims bis belief that they can help the Old World to avert the catastrophe which impends. One part of the Old World at least would ask nothing hotter than to see that belief vindicated by the event.” The Manchester Guardian s.nvs: “Tt is not to he supposed, perhaps that this voice from a saner world will have any effect where it. is most needed to he heard, but it will count. The forces of peace in Europe were meant to and will draw encouragement from it.”