WORLD PEACE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22928, 5 January 1938, Page 11

WORLD PEACE

AMERICA'S NEED

STRONG DEFENCES WHERE SAFETY LIES HANDS OF DEMOCRACY MR. ROOSEVELT'S VIEWS By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received January 4, 7.5 p.m.) WASHINGTON. Jan. 3 President Roosevelt, in a message to Congress, emphasised the nation's need to maintain a strength sufficient for all purposes of selfdefence. He said the United States "had been kept at peace in spite of provocations, which in other days, because of their seriousness, could well have engendered war." Mr. Roosevelt added that the people and the Government of the United States had shown a capacity for restraint, also for a civilised approach to the purposes of peace, at the same time maintaining the integrity inherent in the sovereignty of 130,000,000 people, "lest it weaken and destroy our influence for peace and jeopardise sovereignty itself." The world trend was awav from the observance of treaties. "We propose to observe our own treaty obligations," continued Mr. Roosevelt, "but we cannot be certain of reciprocity by other Powers." He expressed the opinion that world peace was safest in the hands of democratic, representative Governments.

"Peace will be most greatly jeopardised in and by those nations where democracy has been discarded or never developed," said the President, adding his opinion that in future years democracy would be restored or established by "nations which to-day know it not." Goal of Domestic Policy Regarding domestic policy, the President said it was necessary that all segments of the nation should co-operate in order to achieve a better economi? balance. He insisted that Congress pass his farm and hours and wages measures, and expressed approval of tax revisions eliminating injustices, but issued a warning against reduced revenue and the tax-dodging activities of certain corporations and individuals. The President listed unfair practices in business, including stock manipulations and monopolies. Mr. Roosevelt went on to say that he would submit to Congress later a comprehensive legislative programme for business reform. "The misuse of the powers of capital or the selfish suspension of employment of capital must be ended or the capitalistic system will destroy itself with its own abuses," he said.

The goal was to increase the national income to between 90 and 100 thousand million dollars annually. Reaction to the Message The foreign policy phase of Mr. Roosevelt's message has received virtually universal approbation but comment discloses that members of Congress and the newspapers throughout the nation are divided, mostly on partisan lines, as to the domestic features. Democrats mostly commend these as sane and practical although the split over the Wages and Hours Bill is emphasised by the refusal of some to comment.

The Republicans say tho domestic policy is evasive and detrimental to business and that the President failed to point to a specific remedy for the buiness recession. Comment by Republican Senator A. W. Barklev (Democrat) says the message is comprehensive, timely and constructive and there is every reason to believe that Congress will approve the suggestions. Senator A. H. Vandcnberg (Republican) says that Mr. Roosevelt said much in self-defence about deceptions which no longer will deceive. Unfortunately he himself is still a victim of delusions which not much longer will delude. The national income will continue to recede until they gave business a fair chance under a competitive, capitalistic system. The New York Times says the message is reassuring by its mildness and its recognition that all business cannot be blamed, but scepticism is natural owing to overnight changes in the Administration's policies. The real test will be how the message is translated into action.

The New York Herald Tribune says the President's calm tone is a relief hut he failed to specify how his Utopian hiindred million dollar income is to be achieved.