HOPES DWINDLE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23154, 28 September 1938, Page 16

HOPES DWINDLE

PEACEFUL SOLUTION CONCERN IN AMERICA LEADERS* DEJECTION HITLER IGNORES APPEAL By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright NEW YORK, Sept. '2Q Newspaper correspondents in Washington who saw the Secretary of State, Mr. Cordell Hull, leave White House after a two hours consultation, during which he and President Roosevelt listened in to Herr Hitler's speech, commented on his profound air of dejection. It is understood that Mr. Hull and tho President were surprised and disappointed by Herr Hitler's failure even to refer to Mr. Roosevelt's message to the Fuehrer. This feeling of nearhopelessness of tho two statesmen responsible for the conduct of American foreign affairs can bo said to have similarly gripped the American people as a whole after listening to Herr Hitler s uncompromising pronouncement. White House emphasises that Mr. Roosevelt's message did not commit the United States in any way. It is described as a move for peace indicative of America's interest in tho world situation. . Hailing with gratitude the I resident's message and Dr. Bencs' acceptance of its principles there was a faint flicker of hope that something might come from the President's bid for peace, particularly since certain leaders of Congress seemed ready to go even beyond tho President, notably Senator Lewis, a member of tho Foreign Affairs Committee. He proposed that the President should similarly summon the signatories of the Versailles Treaty for a complete revision of the peace terms. Now, however, all expectations have disappeared that America can do anything to stave off the horrible prospect of war.

The stiffening attitude of the Czechs, particularly I)r. Bcnes' reply to Mr. Roosevelt, that: "The Czechoslovak nation will defend itself if attacked, and the semi-official statement from London that an armed attack on Czechoslovakia would result in I'rench. British and Russian support of the former, leaves American observers convinced that war is now inevitable. The impact of this belief can be said to have struck the entire western hemisphere. It is reflected for example in cablegrams sent to Herr Hitler and Dr. Benes by President Ortiz, of Argentina, making a last-moment appeal to settle the dispute by peaceful means. If, however, Americans are now convinced that war is inevitable, it can also be said definitely that they have not any doubt where the blame properly falls.

BRITISH REPLY MESSAGE WELCOMED GREAT ISSUES AT STAKE URGENT WISH FOR PEACE British Wireless RUGBY, Bept. 26 The Prime Minister, Mr. Chamberlain, despatched the following reply to President Roosevelt through Mr. Cordell Hull, Secretary of State: —"The British Government hails with gratitude tho weighty message addressed to it and to certain other Governments. "In this critical time it is indeed essential to remember what is at stake and to weigh the issues with all gravity before embarking on a course from which there may be no return. The British Government has done and is doing its very utmost to secure a peaceful solution of the present difficulties and will relax no effort, so long as there remains any prospect of achieving that object. •'lt is even to-day making a further earnest appeal for a settlement by negotiations, in which it would be ready to lend its good offices. The President's words can but encourage all those who sincerely desire to cooperate in this endeavour. "The British Government, for its part, responds to the President's appeal in all sincerity and without reserve, and it is most earnestly hoped that the other Governments to which it is addressed will do likewise."