AID SENT BY U.S.A.

Southland Times, Issue 24154, 17 June 1940, Page 5

AID SENT BY U.S.A.

MR ROOSEVELT’S REPLY

APPEAL FROM FRENCH PRIME MINISTER INCREASING QUANTITIES OF MATERIAL (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received June 16, 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, June 15. The President of the United States (Mr Franklin D. Roosevelt) sent the following message to the French Prime Minister (M. Paul Reynaud): I am sending you this reply to your message yesterday, which I am sure you will realize received most earnest and most friendly study on our part. First of all, let me reiterate the ever increasing admiration with which the American people and their Government are viewing the resplendent courage with which the French armies are resisting the invaders of French soil. I wish also to reiterate in the most emphatic terms that we are making every possible effort under the present conditions. The Government of the United States has made it possible for the Allied armies to obtain during the weeks just passed aeroplanes, artillery and munitions of many kinds and this Government, as long as the Allied Governments continue to resist, will redouble its efforts in this direction. I believe it is possible to say that every week which goes by will see additional material on the way to the Allied nations.

“In accordance with its policy not to recognize the results of conquest of territory acquired by military aggression, the United States will not consider valid any attempt to infringe by force the independence and territorial integrity of France. In these hours which are so heartrending for the French people and yourself. I send you assurances of my utmost sympathy and can further assure you that so long as the French people continue the defence of their liberty, which constitutes the cause of popular institutions throughout the world so long will they rest assured that material and supplies will be sent them from the United States in ever increasing quantities and kinds.

“I know that you will understand that these statements carry with them no implication of military commitments. Only Congress can make such commitments.”

Mr Roosevelt’s generous response to M. Reynaud’s appeal has been received with sincere gratitude by the British people. Especially welcome is his assurance that as long as the Allied Governments continue to resist the forces threatening the free institutions of the world the United States Government, for its part, will redouble its efforts to send aeroplanes and munitions to assist in the struggle. The British and French Ambassadors conferred with Mr Roosevelt for an hour, after which the British Ambassador (the Marquess of Lothian) said that the meeting “cleared up some things in our minds.” Both emphasized that they visited the President without instructions from their Governments. It is generally believed that they discussed the further speeding of the delivery of Allied war orders; also the European situation as a whole. The Secretary of State (Mr Cordell Hull) revealed that several of the Government’s agencies were investigating reports that Italian Consular officials had engaged in propagandist activities. He indicated that the Government had noted numerous published reports on the matter which, if substantiated, might cause the Government to request the withdrawal of any guilty persons. The Italian Ambassador (Signor Ascanio Colonna) protested to Mr Hull against what he termed a campaign to create anti-Italian feeling. He is supposed to have referred to the reference in Mr Roosevelt’s speech to the stab in the back. The French purchasing mission revealed that it has taken up an option for 120 Flying Fortress bombers which will be built by the Consolidated Aircraft Corporation for delivery in the second and third quarters of 1941. Surprisingly, in view of his previous public accord with the idea of the Administration aiding the Allies, short of going to war, Mr A. M. Landon, who suffered a heavy defeat as Republican candidate at the last Presidential election, issued a statement in which he condemned Mr Roosevelt’s speech at Charlottesville as “a course taken on his own responsibility—that is, in the direction of a war for which the nation ,is utterly unprepared and to which the vast majority of the people is opposed.” The Berlin correspondent of the Associated Press of America says that it is announced from a trustworthy source that the German military authorities have placed Mr William C. Bullitt, United States Ambassador in Paris, in protective custody in Paris. This was officially denied in Berlin. Mr Roosevelt, commenting on the report that Mr Bullitt had been arrested, in a Press interview, asked: “Protection against what, and against whom?” BRAZILIAN SUPPORT FOR MR ROOSEVELT PROTECTION OF WESTERN HEMISPHERE (Received June 16, 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, June 15. The President of Brazil (Dr Getulio Vargas) assured the President of the United States (Mr Franklin Roosevelt) that “Brazil will not fail him” in loyalty to the common-purpose of protecting the Western Hemisphere against foreign influences and attack. Dr Vargas expressed regret that his recent speech had been interpreted in some quarters as contradictory to the principles Mr Roosevelt enunciated in his Charlottesville speech pledging aid to the Allies. MR BEVIN TO STAND FOR PARLIAMENT LONDON, June 16. . The Minister of Labour (Mr Ernest Bevin) was unanimously adopted as Labour candidate for Central Wandsworth. A contest is unlikely. •