APPEAL TO U.S. EXPORTERS

Southland Times, Issue 23990, 4 December 1939, Page 7

APPEAL TO U.S. EXPORTERS

Stopping Civilian Bombing SUGGESTION TO REFUSE ORDERS (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received December 3, 6.30 p.m.) WASHINGTON, December 2. Without naming the countries, the President (Mr Franklin D. Roosevelt), in a formal statement said the Government hopes that American manufacturers and exporters of aeroplanes- and equipment will bear in mind the Government’s policy of condemning the unprovoked bombing of civilians. There is no doubt that the President referred to the Russian-Finnish conflict. Mr Roosevelt said that the American Government and people had been pursuing a policy whole-heartedly condemning the unprovoked bombing and machine-gunning of civilian populations from the air. “The Government hopes to end that,” he said. “Such unprovoked bombing shall not be given material encouragement and in the light of the recent recurrence of such acts American manufacturers and exporters of aeroplanes and aeronautical equipment and materials essential to manufacture should bear this fact in mind before negotiating contracts for the export of these articles to nations obviously guilty of such unprovoked bombing.”

One of the first steps in the expression of American detestation of the invasion of Finland, says the Washington correspondent of the United Press of America, involves plans for an unofficial embargo on exports of military aeroplanes to Russia, similar to that against Japan for the indiscriminate bombing of civilian populations. SOVIET ACTIVITY It is pointed out that, although Russia in the last 10 months purchased only £200,000 worth of war supplies from the United States, reports are now current that Soviet agents are attempting to place large orders for war aeroplanes. The text of Mr Roosevelt’s message to the Soviet and Finnish Governments says that the news of the Soviet naval and military bombing of Finnish territory came as a profound shock to the Government and people of the United States.

“Despite the efforts to solve the dispute by peaceful methods, to which no reasonable objection could be offered, one Power has chosen to resort to force of arms,” the message continues. “It is tragic to see the policy of force spreading and to realize that wanton disregard of the law is still on the march. All peace-loving people in the nations which are still hoping for a continuance of relations on a worldwide basis of law and order will unanimously condemn this new resort to military force as an arbiter of international differences, to the great misfortune of the world. "The present trend to force makes insecure the independent existence of small nations on every continent and jeopardizes the rights of mankind to self-government. The people and the Government of Finland have a long, honourable and wholly peaceful record, which has won them the respect and warm regard of the people and Government of the United States.” A message from New York says the authorities of the World’s Fair announced that the Soviet is dismantling its £750,000 pavilion, one of the Fair’s outstanding attractions, and is not participating in 1940. An explanation for this action is promised later.