COMMENT IN UNITED STATES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 1 February 1939, Page 7

COMMENT IN UNITED STATES

REFERENCE TO COLONIES (Received Ist February, 9.0 a.m.) WASHINGTON, 31st January. Reactions to Herr Hitler’s speech varied widely. Some Congressional leaders said it Would stimulate President Roosevelt’s defence programme, contending that Herr Hitler, instead of renouncing Germany’s aspirations in South America, had served a notice that the Nazis were prepared to go to any length to overcome the obstacles which the United States might place in their path. Senator Pittman, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said: “If Hitler’s acts were as tolerant as his speech there will be no fear of any immediate war. I mean tolerant toward the ideologies of other governments; I do not mean in the attitude of his Government toward his own people. That is a matter for the Germans to consider.” The "New York Times,” in a leader said: “The burden of the speech was Germany’s need for colonies, yet so meagre are the resources of the former German colonies and so near did Herr Hitler come to admitting this fact that many doubt if he believes that their recovery would solve any of his pressing economic problems. Why then press so strongly on the colonies issue? EFFECT ON WALL STREET (Received Ist February, 9.0 a.m.) NEW YORK, 31st January. Wall Street construed Herr Hitler's speech as not unfavourable to the stock market. Stocks made excellent gains. “FOR HOME CONSUMPTION” (Received Ist February, noon) WASHINGTON. 31st January. After considered study Washington is inclined to regard Herr Hitler’s speech as temperate and designed principally for home consumption. The speech did nothing to improve the strained relations between the United States and Germany.