Warning to Hitler on Eve of Speech

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 97, 27 April 1939, Page 7

Warning to Hitler on Eve of Speech

War Would Have Disastrous Reactions U.S. DECLARATION United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. Received Wednesday, 10.50 p.m. WASHINGTON, April 26. The Secretary of State, Mr. Cordell Hull, to-night addressed the national convention of Red Cross in terms which were at once a plea for peace and a warning that war would inevitably react disastrously upon the aggressors. Unusual significance is attached to tho speech, although no nations or statesmen were named, because it was delivered almost on the eve of Herr Hitler’s reply to President Roosevelt’s peace plea. Mr. Hull issued a warning that “armed aggrandisement under modern conditions of warfare entails destructions for which no conceivable advantages secured by the conqueror can possibly provide compensation. A nation entering upon this course inflicts incalculable injury upon her own people and tho world as a whole."

A warning was also issued by Mr. Hull that the United States was prepared to defend and defend successfully its national interests.

Stating that there was no controversy which cannot be settled with greater benefit to all concerned by peaceful processes or friendly adjustment, Mr. Hull said: “When a nation makes a deliberate resort to armed force on any plea whatever it uses war or the threat of war as an instrument of policy of territorial expansion or domination of others, such nations are the authors of war, the awful cost of which is paid by their own people and the rest of mankind." He added that there was ample room on the earth for the two billion people inhabiting it, but no room for a political organisation under which a group of nations would enslave all others.

Mr. Hull commented that the road to peaceful adjustment of reasonable, legitimate grievances was still open, but as long as some nations continued to arm for conquest all others must either surrender or arm for defence.

“Americans prefer peace negotiated before war rather than afterwards, and to such a peace they will make au appropriate contribution, but if their hopes are disappointed and the red flames of war rather than the noonday sun of peace illuminate our horizon we are equally prepared to defend successfully our national interests and cherished institutions." President Roosevelt addrossiug the convention earlier emphasised the need to meet the great requirements of relief movements. He said: “In a world disturbed by war and fears of war tho unselfish devotion of the Red Cross to others’ welfare stands in striking contrast to tho inhumane acts which shocked our conscience. The task before us is enormous."