FEARS CRISIS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23276, 20 February 1939, Page 9

FEARS CRISIS

ROOSEVELT WARNS

"DISTURBING NEWS"

INTERNATIONAL FRONT THREAT OF AGGRESSION SITUATION IN EUROPE By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright (Received February 19, 9.30 p.m.) j NEW YORK, Feb. 19 Before leaving Key West, Florida, aboard the cruiser Houston to attend the greatest peace-time manoeuvres ever held by the American Fleet, President Roosevelt reminded the totalitarian Powers of America's interest in- the continued political independence of the world democracies. Mr. Roosevelt added that disturbing information continued to be received from the international front which might cut short his fortnight's cruise. The President bluntly warned aggressor nations that the American republics were uniting in their "common aspiration to defend and maintain their self-governing way of life." He called on ail countries of the Western Hemisphere "to lift democracy high above the ugly truculence of auto«acy." In demeanour as well as in his words, the President displayed obvious concern over the possibility of a new international crisis. It is understood he has received reports that the European democracies are "facing a threat of aggression. He did not give details of the "continued reports of a disturbing nature," but it is understood he has been informed that demands are being forced on the democracies "other than through diplomatic channels." Mr. Roosevelt strongly reinforced his pledges to the good-neighbour policy. Calling it "the cornerstone of our foreign policy," he pledged himself , io co-operate in any effort "honestly put forward" to limit armaments. Sir. Roosevelt's remarks were contained in two radio addresses which he made before boarding the cruiser. From the rear seat of an open automobile, facing a battery of microphones, the President addressed first the San Francisco Exposition and then the Pan-American Hernando de Soto Exposition at Tampa, Florida. AMERICAN SECURITY LIVELY DEFENCE TOPICS AIR, LAND AND SEA FORCES RUSSIAN ISLAND SUGGESTION (Received February 19, 5.5 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Feb. 18 Defence developments to-day included a favourable report by the Naval Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives on a bill seeking authority for an appropriation of 52,0130,000 dollars for air and submarine bases at Guam and 10 other points in the Pacific and Atlantic. Also, a bill was introduced by Senator King seeking the co-ordination of the Army, Navy and Air Corps under a single department of national defence. v Proposals were made by members in both the House of Representatives and the Senate that the United States should take possession of Wrangel Island, near Alaska, now held by Soviet Russia, for use as "a place in the chain of American air defence stations." Another development was that an announcement that 67,000 troops would participate in extended manoeuvres in the east this summer. OFFICIAL RESIGNS FOREIGN POLICY ISSUE WASHINGTON. Feb. 17 The Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, Mr. Wayne Taylor, has resigned because of his disagreement with the policy of facilitating the French purchase of aeroplanes, says the Australian Associated Press. He holds .that the United States must not take sides in world rivalries between the totalitarian States and other countries. DEBATE IN COMMONS FINANCE AND STRATEGY .BRITAIN'S FOREIGN POLICY (Received February 19, 7.40 p.m.) British Wireless LONDON, Feb. 18 A two days' debate on defence will open in the House of Commons on Monday, when the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir John Simon, will move a financial resolution to increase to £800,000.000 the Government's borrowing powers for defence. According to'lobby correspondents of the newspapers, the first day of the 'debate is likely to relate more particularly to financial aspects of the programme, while on Tuesday, when 'it is thought Mr. Chamberlain will speak, attention will turn to the character of the defence programme itself and its relation to considerations of strategy and foreign policy. It is expected that the final spokesman for the Government will be Mr. W. S. Morrison, who, in his new office as Chancellor for the Duchy of Lancaster, also speaks in the House of Commons for Lord Chatfield, Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence.