Week-End Jitters In United States

Northern Advocate, 21 February 1939, Page 5

Week-End Jitters In United States

WASHINGTON, February 20. America is speculating as to the nature of jthe “disturbing reports” which led to President Roosevelt’s hint that Europe is moving to .an early crisis. , A crop of ominous cables from Europe lending colour to the President’s remarks contributed to an unusually severe attack of “week-end jitters.” The President spoke extemporaneously, and the newspapers are carrying only third person summaries of his speech, instead of the customary official texts. . After close questioning, the usual sources in Washington failed to produce evidence of any new turn abroad. Some quarters believe Mr Roosevelt merely wanted to stress that he is watching the situation closely, and is obtaining full reports, although at sea. On the other hand, t a responsible authority said today that the hurried return to London of the American Ambassador, Mr J. P. Kennedy, was dictated more by President Roosevelt’s feeling that matters were becoming tense than by any specific development. Mr Kennedy cut his vacation short by 10 days, and he was closeted with Mr Chamberlain the day after his return. He obtains fairly complete reports from Mr Chamberlain. “Catastrophe Politician.” Using the slogan “catastrophe .politician,” German press and radio have opened a smashing .attack on President Roosevelt,, says a message from Berlin, following the mounting fury within official circles at the President’s latest “madman act,” in suggesting that an imminent European crisis may force him to cancel his Florida trip.