PLEDGE NOT TO ATTACK SPECIFIED STATES IN EUROPE AND ASIA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 17 April 1939, Page 7

PLEDGE NOT TO ATTACK SPECIFIED STATES IN EUROPE AND ASIA

GRAVE EFFECTS OF THREAT TO PEACE EMPHASISED •Britinb Official Wirolewl liji personal messages sent last night in identical terms, President Roosevelt asks Herr Hitler and Signor Mussolini to pledge themselves not to attack by force of arms any territory, colony or protectorate of some 30 independent States in Europe and Asia which are enumerated. These messages have created a deep impression in London. Simultaneously with their release for publication in Washington, a aopy was supplied to the Foreign Office, .and by that department was communicated at once to Mr Chamberlain, Prime Minister, at Chequers, and to Lord Halifax, Foreign Secretary, in Yorkshire.

Significant passages in the messages include the following: *"I previously approached you on the subject of the settlement of political, economic and social problems by peaceful means and without recourse to arms, but the course of events appears to have brought back the threat of armed intervention.

“If this threat continues, it seems inevitable that a greai part of the world will be engulfed in the general ruin. The entire world the victorious nations, the defeated nations and •be neutral nations—will sufFer. I refuse to believe that the world is necessarily fated to such a destiny. “On the contrary, it is clear that the leaders of the great nations have the power to free their peoples from imminent danger. It is equally clear that, in their spirits and in theii hearts, the peoples themselves desire that their fears should end

’lt is, however, unfortunately necessary to take into account Tecent events. Three nations in Europe and one in Africa have seen the death of their independence. Vast territory in another independent nation in the Far East has been occupied by a neighbouring State. “According to persistent rumours, which we hope will pcovo ill-founded, other acts of aggression are reported to be contemplated against other independent nations. . To speak clearly, a moment is approaching when this situation must end in. a catastrophe ut>l^« ! ‘' » mo r « rational method of managing e/vents is found.’

Proceeding, President Rouse veil asks whether Herr Hitler and Signor Mussolini are willing to give assurances that their armed forces will not attack the tndpendent nations which he mentions.

“Such an assurances clearly must •apply, not only to the present day, but also to the future sufficiently long to give every opportunity to work by peaceful methods for more permanent peace. I. therefore, suggest that you construe the word future to apply to a minimum period of assured nonaggression—lo years at least; a quarter of a century if we dare look that far ahead.

“If such an assurance is given, I will immediately transmit it to the Governments of the nations named, and I will Anult&neously inquire whether, as I am reasonably sure, each of the nations enumerated will in turn give a like assurance for transmission to you.

“Nothing will persuade the peoples of the world that one Power has the right or the» need to inflict the consequences of war on its own people and others unlees it is defending its own territory.

“We Americans speak not in selfishness, fear or weakness, but as statesmen out of love for the human race. I have always been convinced that international- problems can be solved round a tab v You will not misunderstand the frankness in which I send this message.

“Uhe heads of Governments in this, hour are literally responsible for 7 the fate of humanity in the ranting years and cannot fail to h**r their peoples’ prayers to be protected from the unforeseeable chaos of war.

“History will hold them accountable for the lives and happiness of all, even the least. I hope your answer will make it possible for humanity to lose fear and regain security for many years to come.”

The States named by President Roosevelt are: Finland, Estonia, Latvia. Lithuania, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, Britain and Ireland, France, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Lichtenstein, Luxemburg, Poland. Hungary, Rumania. Yugoslavia. Russia. Bulgaria.

i Greece, Turkey, Iraq, the Arabias. ■ Syria, Palestine, Egypt, and Iran. President Roosevelt proposes that, i if the assurances he suggests are given, two essential problems should be discussed in the resulting peaceful sur- ; roundings: First, measures for the progressive relief of the world from the crushing burden of armaments; and, secondly, measures for the opening up of the avenues of international trade to the end that every nation should be enabled to buy and sell on equal terms in the world market, as well as to possess an assurance of being able to obtain the materials and products of 1 peaceful economic life.