SURPRISE TO BRITAIN

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

SURPRISE TO BRITAIN

WARM APPROVAL GIVEN OFFICIAL STATEMENT ISSUED REAL OPPORTUNITY TO AVERT CATASTROPHE I British Official Wireless) RUGBY. 15th April. President Roosevelt’s initiative came as a surprise to the British Government. Both Mr Chamberlain, Prime Minister, and Lord Halifax, Foreign Secretary, on behalf of His Majesty’s Government, warmly welcome the President’s action and have authorised the issue of the following statement: “His Majesty’s Government learned with cordial approval of the message which was communicated last night to Herr Hitler and Signor Mussolini by President Roosevelt, and which has now been issued to the Press. His Majesty’s Government entirely endorses President Roosevelt’s estimate of the international situation. ‘‘lt believes that the statesmanlike initiative which President Roosevelt has been inspired to take offers a real opportunity of averting the catastrophe which hangs over Europe and which the. Government is convinced is feared in every country. Replies from Germany and Italy must now be awaited. The British Government., for ; ts part, desires to express the firm hope that those replies will open the way 1o the further steps ol which President Roosevelt speaks.” SECOND BIG EFFORT President Roosevelt’s personal message is the second important effort which he made within 48 hours for resolving the tense European situation. Though less direct, his speech yesterday to the Board of the Pan-American Union has been welcomed by the Press. It is warmly appreciated, particularly as it comes at a moment when the British Government is attempting to erect an edifice similar to that which the Americans enjoy and which was described by President Roosevelt as the “will to peace based on the will to mutual defence against either military force or economic pressure.” "The Times” says that perhaps the most striking of all the striking passages in President Roosevelt’s speech was that in which he poured scorn upon the propagandist charge that cooperation for defence and for peace involves the encircelement or imprisonment of any nation. PARADOX OF THE TIMES The “Daily Telegraph” say?: “It is a paradox of the times that the most pacific nation of all—one that it most resolute to keep herself free from all foreign entanglements—should yet. in effect, be in a position to give the law to a Continent armed to the teeth.

“That is what imparts special force and meaning to President Roosevelt’s declaration to the Americans that they have an interest wider than that of the mere defences of their sea-fringed continent, and that American customs and actions are necessarily involved with the rest of the world —a world which is becoming a single economic unit. “The issue, as he stated it, is whether our civilisation is to be dragged into the tragic vortex of unending Imperialism punctuated by periodic wars. In that issue the Americas by their stake in world affairs, cannot help being vitally concerned. “President Roosevelt proclaims his belief that they can help the Old World to avert the catastrophe which impends. One part of the Old World at least would ask nothing better than tc see that belief vindicated by the event.” The “Manchester Guardian” says: “It is not to be supposed, perhaps, that this voice from a saner world will have any effect where it is most needed to be heard, but it will count. The forces of peace in Europe were meant to and will draw encouragement from