REACTION TO SPEECH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23796, 1 May 1939, Page 9

REACTION TO SPEECH

POSITION IN AMERICA PRESS OPINION DIVIDED TONE LARGELY PESSIMISTIC “PRESIDENT’S FACE SLAPPED” NEW YORK, Apl. 29. (Received Apl. 30, at 9 p.m.) A symposium of newspaper reaction to Herr Hitler’s speech shows that there are almost as many different views as leader writers, demonstrating graphically the unsettled state of the American mind regarding the European situation. Some leader writers drew hope from Herr Hitler’s assertions that he abhorred bloodshed but most took the pessimistic attitude that the speech made it clear that Herr Hitler was resolved to build an Empire, which course they held would lead inevitably to a general war. Some writers asserted that Herr Hitler’s answer was inadequate, even ridiculous, while others felt he had in effect slapped President Roosevelt’s face and blamed the President for making possible such a rebuke. Mass of Bad Manners The New York Herald-Tribune says: “ To wade through that turgid mass of bad manners, bad history, bad argument, megalomaniac distortions, debaters’ tricks and plain misuses of language is to experience intense irritation. Herr Hitler might, without committing himself, have parried the indictment, perhans even helped somewhat to clear the sulphurous air but instead he came near to pleading guilty to it.” The New York Daily News says: “ It was a debaters’ field day. Herr Hitler, for all his fantastic ideas, is a shrewd debater. We think the German people are more unitedly behind Herr Hitler as a result of the speech, so we move that this public debate now take an adjournment and a long one.” The President’s Role The Boston Herald says: "Most Americans would applaud President Roosevelt if he would retire from the role of assuager and let our neutrality policy and huge appropriation for stronger land and sea forces speak for themselves. He has juggled with sticks of dynamite long enough.” The Detroit Free Press says: An expert umpire would be obliged to award the verbal bout to Herr Hitler on points. Much of what Herr Hitler said was hollow and specious, but President Roosevelts amateurishness was exposed by the fact that he made such openings needlessly and recklessly when there was neither occasion nor need.” Points made by other newspapers were;— 1. That the speech showed that Herr Hitler has not swerved from a policy of force and that Danzig will be next. 2. That America should follow France’s example of being strong enough to argue with Herr Hitler in terms of guns, planes and ships. 3. That, boiled down, Herr Hitler said he has taken what he can in any way he can get it. Door Left Slightly Aja “Herr Hitler has left the door open about an inch,” so far as peace in Europe is concerned, President Roosevelt declared, in reply to a direct question from Princess Martha of Norway, according to the New York Times and New York Daily News staff correspondents assigned to Hyde Park. The United Press correspondent, however, comments. “ I was as near the President as anybody but could not place such an interpretation on the interchange. The President’s secretary refused to confirm or deny the statement, asserting that the conversation with the Princess was purely personal. Otherwise there has been no hint of President Roosevelt’s reaction. The New York Times Washington correspondent reported that official circles regarded the speech as leaving the door slightly ajar for the discussion of specific questions such as trade, and possibly armament limitation, if opportunity offered, but they felt there was no doubt that Herr Hitler has closed the door to a general conference for adjustment of Europe’s difficulties. Diplomats placed importance on Herr Hitler’s rancour and sarcasm, due to the effect upon German people, who feel keenly that they were betrayed after the Armistice. Whether there will be any official statement in regard to the speech depends largely «on whether the President will choose to regard it as a formal reply to his message. There is at present no indication of his attitude on this question. Herr Hitler’s Goal The New York Times, in a leader, makes it clear that, however short or long is the present breathing space, Germany under National Socialism is bent upon creating a new empire. “ It is not trade but empire that is Herr Hitler’s goal. How far and how fast he will go toward acquiring it will denend solely upon how much opposition is offered to him.” Senator’s Indictment Probably the strongest senatorial statement was that made by Senator Logan, who said: “The speech can be divided into three parts—lies, evasions, alibis.” GERMAN PRESS ABUSE PRESIDENT DERIDED BERLIN, Apl. 29. (Received Apl. 30, at 10.30 p.m.) The press abuses and derides President Roosevelt, in marked contrast . with Herr Hitler’s restrained sarcasm. The Lokal-Anzeiger says: Is there a mortal in the world who would to-day want to be Roosevelt? Flogged and branded, there he stands in the pillory of humanity, a man who has discredited his name.” . General Goering’s National Zeitung says: “ Only time will show whether the bitter lesson that the Poles and President Roosevelt had to learn again will induce them to cease deceiving themselves. If they don’t, the final result of Germany’s policy will harm them and their nations.” An inspired statement says im-

portant military discussions between Germany and Italy ai'e expected during the visit of General von Brauchitsch, chief of the German Staff, to Rome. It would only be natural if the occasion were used for intimate discussions, going beyond the programme originally laid down for the visit. The statement addds: “Political circles in Rome warn Poland against endangering good relations with Italy. For example, Czechoslovakia and Italy’s attitude to it shows what Italy’s attitude would be if untenable positions were obstinately defended. Italy believes that Britain intimated to Poland that her guarantee does not amount to opposition to reasonable suggestions.