"NOT TO BE DUPED”

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

"NOT TO BE DUPED”

APPEAL LIKELY TO BE REJECTED BY HITLER BITTER PRESS COMMENT I (Received 17th April, 9.15 a.m.) LONDON, 16th April. Herr Hitler arrived at Munich to-day from Berehtesgaden in order to discuss President Roosevelt’s Message with Herr von Ribbentrop, German Foreign Minister, who had a long telephone conversation with Count Ciano, Italian Foreign Minister. The German public first learned of President Roosevelt’s message through the British Broadcasting Corporation's German language broadcast. The official text is not known to Wilhelmstrasse officials because the message reached Herr Hitler direct at Munich. It is semi-officially stated in Munich that Herr Hitler will turn down the proposals. A spokesman declared that Germany would never allow herself to be duped, as once before by President Wilson’s 14 points. He added that President Roosevelt first stirred up a fear of war ' and now he is playing the opposite game and adopting President Wilson’s role. As long as Bolshevism is to be treated as an equal partner, Germany will be unable to sit at any conference tables.” Diplomatic circles are intrigued bythe fact that Danzig is not mentioned in Mr Roosevelt’s message. The newspaper “Der Angriff” declares that the British Empire appears to be determined to dig its own grave. Germany gave Britain a chance to emerge from the situation in September without loss of prestige. She will not give her a second chance Reactions to President Roosevelt’s appeal indicate that Herr Hitler will reject it. The official Nazi organ, the “Volkischer Beobachter,” describes the messages as “a miserable propaganda pamphlet.” The “Deutsche Allgmeine Zeitung” denounces it as “Pharisaical.” Other journals are equally bitter. Typical headlines Fire: “Roosevelt copies Wilson,” “Roosevelt’s Publicity Stunt,” “Roosevelt Directs A Message To The Wrong Address.” I Field Harshal Goering’s newspaper, | the “National Zeitung,” says: “President Roosevelt’s message is one of the j most cunning ever addressed by the | democratic world saviours to the axis j Powers. “Precisely when Britain is endeavouring to lead Bolshevism back into the European arena as a partner in the encirclement of Germany. President Roosevelt appeals to the nations who uphold order (Germany and Italy) to sit down at the conference table. Germany does not dream of swearing eternal peace to those who have engaged Moscow to fight against the totalitarian Powers.”