U.S.A. OFFERS MEDIATION

Southland Times, Issue 23988, 1 December 1939, Page 7

U.S.A. OFFERS MEDIATION

Great Concern In Washington (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) WASHINGTON, November 29. The United States Secretary of State, Mr Cordell Hull, in a formal statement, said that the United States was willing to extend its good offices in the settlement of the Russian-Finnish dispute. ’“This Government is following with serious concern the intensification of the Russian-Finnish dispute,” he said, “and would view with extreme regret any extension of the present area of the war consequent on further deterioration of international relations. Without in any way becoming involved in the merits of the dispute and limiting its interest to the solution of the dispute by peaceful processes, the Government would, if agreeable to both parlies, gladly extend its good offices.” The United States Ambassador to Moscow (Mr L. Steinhardt) abruptly abandoned his visit to Sweden and departed hurriedly for Moscow. American diplomats in Russia and Finland were instructed to forward Mr Hull’s statement to their respective Governments. While the exercise of good offices does not necessarily imply mediation, the latter would be possible if the disputants requested it, said Mr Hull in his statement. The news that Russia had broken off relations caused a sensation in Washington. The Cabinet was summoned at midnight. One official said that Mr Cordell Hull’s offer came over-late.

Senator Key Pittman, president of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, and Senator W. E. Borah condemned Russia’s action and praised Mr Hull’s effort. Senator Pittman stated that Russia had created fictitious incidents which were a prelude and an excuse for conquest. Both senators had little expectation that Mr Hull’s move would be successful. The news that the American Government was ready to offer its good offices in the Finnish-Soviet dispute was welcomed by the British Government, which had always felt for its part that the dispute was not of such a nature as would justify either party resorting to war-like measures and it naturally hoped that the offer would be accepted.