AID FOR BRITAIN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24416, 30 September 1940, Page 5

AID FOR BRITAIN

INCREASE PROBABLE AMERICA'S ATTITUDE ANSWER TO ALLIANCE ■""'"i .•''••■ .'" ■'■■'•'■'.. .' . v--' •' ' ■".'.' : "' ."■ :.•*.' :-. (United Press Association) .;" : '.' : ' ■ (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) :- v '" LONDON, Sept. 27. (Received Sept, 29,'at .7 p.m.) Washington reports state there are indications that the United States answer to the Berlhi-Tokio alliance may take the form of increased aid to Great Britain. Signs of this have been multiplied during a series of important conferences with the British Ambassador in America (Lord Lothian). Sir Walter Lay ton conferred first with Mr Cordell Hull and then with President Roosevelt, whom Lord Lothian told: "Great Britain needs more of everything quickly." Mr Roosevelt later conferred with defence chiefs and with Mr Henry Morgenthau, who is co-ordinator of the United States-British arms purchases. Cabinet met later. Lord Lothian revealed that he discussed the Pacific with Mr Hull and that they also considered problems relating to the establishment of United States bases on the sites leased under the destroyer deal. Mr Roosevelt received a delegation of 87 from all parts of the nation urging further immediate aid to Great Britain. The spokesman of the delegation stated later: "We were enthusiastically encouraged." At Cleveland, in a foreign policy pronouncement considered 'most* significant in view of the German-Japan alliance announcement, the Assistant Secretary for State (Mr Sumner Welles) re->asser-ted the.intentipn..of the United States "to render all material support and assistance in the form of supplies and munitions to Great Britain and the British dominions in what we hope to be their successful defence against armed aggression." . V.JHe gave a warning that the United States faced its gravest dangers in" history. It must continue in the future as in the past to. prepare for:all eventualities and to arm with haste and vigour to.guard the New World from the threatened danger. Simultaneously it must be ready when the time comes to aid in the construction of that kind of world peace, based on justice and law, which was the only basis on.'Which united security could be fully guaranteed. AMERICA'S LEGITIMATE RIGHTS Mr Welles condemned the-assault'.on Indo-China as a threat to the colony's integrity and contrary to Japan's promises to respect the. status-quo. "The United States primary requirements in the Far East can be thus simply set forth," he said. "First, complete respect:by all Powers for the"legitimate rights of the United States and nationals-as stipulated under existing treaties or provided for in the accepted tenets of international law. Secondly, equality of opportunity to trade with all nations, thirdly, respect for international agreements and treaties concerning the Far East to which the United States is a party although with'the expressed understanding;that the. United'States: is always willing,to cbnsiterTpeaceful: negotiation for such; modifications and changes as.might be considered, necessary in-tlie light of changed conditions." ~.■ JAPAN RELTING ON ARMED FORCE -' Mr "Welles;said that in an endeavour to create a new order in Asia Japan had "replied on armed force and had made it very clear that she intends that Japan alone shall decide the extent.to which . the historic interests of the .United States and the treaty rights of Americans in the Far East shall ; be observed. There were many hundreds of violations of American rights, he added; but there were rib problems presnted which could riot be solved peacefully through negotiation, provided there was a sincere desire on the part of all concerned to find an equitable solution giving just recognition of rights and real needs. .

Mr Welles praised the heroism of the British, who were defending successfully their honies and liberties

BRITISH COMMENT

the Berlin-Tbkio axis.' Stalin can hardly fail to feel that Hitler is now taking out an insurance policy in the Far East against the possibility of early disagreement with Russia in the west. In the not distant future Russia may be faced with the spectre of war on two. fronts." The Daily Telegraph says: " From the British standpoint it is plain that what was intended as a bombshell proves to be nothing more serious than a damp squib since our military strategic position is not affected to the smallest degree. We can safely predict that the present pact will be as dead as the Ger-man-Polish one five years hence, but for the very different reason that two at least of the partners will be floundering among the debris of lost wars."

NO SURPRISE EXF^ESSED JAPAN SHOWS HER HAND "DIVISION OF SPOILS" - (British Official Wireless) "t ■; , '■', ■■■ RUGBY, Sept. 28. (Received Sept. 29, at 7 p.m.) Naturally no surprise at the AxisJapanese pact is expressed in British newspapers, and The Times statement, "Thus Japan makes a formal declaration of sympathies that have : never been concealed," is typical of all comment. ■•■•■• "The' gist of the document," The Times continues, " is the definition of the division ; of the spoils which it is tacitly assumed will shortly fall to the invincible arms of her associates. When that happens there will be three continents for disposal, so Japjan is, confirmed,, in 'the leadership '.of. 'the great Asiatic living space.' and in return recognises the corresponding hegemony of her partners in Europe and Africa. Nazi Hint to Mussolini "It has already been very obvious that there is room for only one dominant ■ Power in Europe and Mussolini has had a strong hint to seek future expansion on the other side of the. Mediterranean. Thus the allotment of a-continent apiece to the three empires seems plainly written between the lines of the pact. All other nations are to be given their own proper place and this does not seem large for the Soviet and China; and it suggests that the clause against other Powers in the event of their intervention in the two wars already being waged is dictated by the totalitarian dread of American intervention. It is evidently'to the advantage 1 of the Axis to threaten to close Asia against American interests in the hope of diverting American resources from assisting the Allied cause in Europe. It was equally, desirable that Tokio should gain allies—even if only on paper—before proceeding further with the campaign of aggression which every day threatens American influence more directly,'* Possible Disagreement with Russia The. News-Chronicle . says: " The triple alliance of. the. aggressors .'would have been consummated earlier but : for the German-Soviet cacti which caused friction along