U.S. Warns Aggressors and Appeals for Peace

Northern Advocate, 27 April 1939, Page 7

U.S. Warns Aggressors and Appeals for Peace

WASHINGTON, April 25. The Secretary of State, Mr Cordell Hull, tonight addressed the National Convention of Red Cross Societies 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 the speech, although no nations and statesmen were named, because it was delivered almost on the eve of Herr Hitler’s reply to President Roosevelt’s peace plea. Mr Hull said: Armed aggrandisement under modern conditions of warfare entails destruction for which nc conceivable advantage secured by the conqueror can possibly provide compensation. A nation which enters upon this course inflicts incalculable injury upon its own people, and upon the world as a whole.” United States Prepared. Mr Hull also gave warning that the United States was prepared to defend —and to defend successfully its national interests. There was no controversy which could not be settled with greater benefit to all concerned by the peaceful processes of friendly adifstment. “When a nation has deliberate resort to armed force on any plea whatever, it uses war, or the threats of war, as an instrument of policy, of territorial expansion, or domination of others,”

continued Mr Hull. “Such nations are the authors of war, the awful cost of which is paid by their own people and the rest of mankind. “There is ample room on the earth for the 2,000,000,000 people who inhabit it, but there is no room for a political organisation under which a group of nations would enslave all the others. “The road to a peaceful adjustment of reasonable and legitimate grievances is still open, but, as long as some nations continue to arm for conquest, all the others must either surrender or arm for defence. Peace Negotiation Before War. “Americans prefer peace negotiations before war rather than afterwards and to such a peace they will make an appx*opriate contribution. But, if their hopes are disappointed, and the red flames of war, rather than the noonday sun of peace, illuminate our horizon, we will be equally prepared to defend successfully our national interests, and our cheinshed institutions.” Tribute to Red Cross. President Rosevelt, in an earlier address to the convention, said: “In a world disturbed by fears of war, the unselfish devotion of the Red Cross to the welfare* of others stands out in striking contrast to the inhumane acts which have shocked our conscience. The task before us is enormous.”