Isolationists Attack Roosevelt

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 1, 2 January 1941, Page 7

Isolationists Attack Roosevelt

Eight-Points Plan For Negotiated Peace “RUNNING ALONG ROAD TO WAR ” United Press Association—By Electrio Telegraph—Copyright. Received Wednesday, 7.30 p,m. WASHINGTON, Dec. 31. The isolationist leader, Senator Wheeler, speaking over the radio, declared; “Tue United States is no longer trudging along the road to war—we are running. If we lend or lease war materials to-day we will lend or lease American boys to-morrow.” {Senator Yv heeler again proposes to lead a campaign for a negotiated peace. He outlined a oasis of what he considered a just peace, proposing eight points, namely; Firstly, the restoration of Germany's 1914 boundaries with an autonomous Poland and Czechoslovakia; secondly, the restoration of independent France, Holland, Norway, Belgium and Denmark; thirdly, the restoration of Alsace-Lorraine to France; fourthly, the restoration of the German colonies; fifthly, the protection of racial and religious minorities in all countries; sixthly, the internationalisation of the Suez Canal; seventhly, no indemnities or re- 1 parations; eightly, arms limitation. President Roosevelt’s speech was read with great interest throughout Denmark. There is no official comment as yet. The press features the speech on the front pages carrying world-wide comments but has not commented editorially. Senator Holt told the Senate that the Administration strategy is to provoke the Axis to declare war against the United States. He said the drive to war was not based on a desire to protect democracy but the cold almighty dollar.

General Robert Wood, chairman of the “America First” Committee, said President Roosevelt’s speech ‘ ‘ was virtually a personal declaration of undeclared war against Germany.” He said it was time for the Administration to make it clear to Britain that the American people in aiding Britain will stop before methods meaning war. By rejecting a negotiated peace President Roosevelt had taken on himself a large share of the responsibility for the continuation of the war.

President Roosevelt’s secretary (Mr. Stephen Early), replying to a question, said: “Some critics doubt whether Mr. Roosevelt’s speech implied the despatch of air and naval forces to Europe. ; ’ He declared: “They are not confused. They are confusing the speech (which promised not to send an army and did not mention the navy or air force).” President Roosevelt sent a message to Italy’s King Victor Emmanuel on the advent of 1941. He said he hoped during the year that the “Italians would be enabled to enjoy the blessings of a righteous peace. ” It was in reply to the King’s “cordial good wishes to. the people of the United States and to you personally. * ’ Mr. Roosevelt, in reply to a question, said the United States was not negotiating with or planning to ask Eire to open her ports as bases for Britain. He refused to enlarge on Sunday’s speech in reference to Eire. The President said the plan to lend or lease arms to Britain might easily be expanded to include raw materials as well as munitions of war. He said the basic idea was to develop a replacement policy that could be decided upon by two friendly nations. He said tin and rubber which the United {States needs might figure in the deals for arms. If this were done the United {States might give Britain planes and take rubber and tin iu future for repayment. He said the whole plan, however, would not be put into effect until Congress acts on it.

White House stated that thousands of telegrams were sent to President Roosevelt after his spoech, 99 per cent, being favourable.