SAFEST IN HANDS OF DEMOCRACY

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20927, 5 January 1938, Page 7

SAFEST IN HANDS OF DEMOCRACY

ATTACK ON TREATY BREAKERS PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE TO UNITED STATES OUTSPOKEN WARNING TO CAPITAL United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright WASHINGTON, January 3. President Roosevel;, In a message to Congress, emphasised, the nation’s need to maintain a strength sufficient for all purposes of self-defence. He said: “The United States has been kept at peace despite provocations which in other days, because of their seriousness, could well have engendered war. “The people and Government of the United States have shown a capacity for restraint, and also for a civilised approach toward the purposes of peace, yet at the same time maintaining an integrity inherent in the sovereignty of 130,000,1)06 people.” “The world trend was away from observance of treaties,” he said- “We propose to observe our own treaty obligations, but we cannot be certain of reciprocity by others.” He expressed the opinion that world peace was in safest hands with democratic and representative governments.” “Peace,” he said, “is jeopardised to its greatest extent in and by those nations where democracy has been discarded, or never developed.”

President Roosevelt indicated that in future years democracy would be restored or established in “nations which to-day know it not.” Warning to Capital Regarding domestic policy, Mr Roosevelt said it was necessary that all segments of the nation should co-operate in order to achieve a better economic balance. He insisted that Congress should pass his farm, and hours and wages measures, and expressed approval of tax revisions eliminating injustices. However, he warned against the reduced revenue .nd tax dodging activities of certain corporations and individuals. The President mentioned unfair practices In business, including stock manipulations and monopolies.

He said he would submit to Congress later a comprehensive legislative programme of tusiness reform. “The misuse of power by capital, or the selfish suspension of employment by capital, must be ended,” the President said, “or the capitalistic system will destroy itself with its own abuses.” He added that his goal was an increase in national income to between 90,000,000,000 and 100,606,000.000 dollars annually.

RECEPTION OF MESSAGE DIVIDED COMMENT ON DOMESTIC POLICY United Press Association— By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received January 4, 6.30 pm.) WASHINGTON, January 4. The foreign policy phase of President Roosevelt’s message finds virtually universal approbation, but comment is divided concerning the domestic features of the message. Press Criticism The Democrats mostly commended th- message as sane and practical. “The New York Times” in an editorial says: “The real test is how ths message is to be translated into action.” “The New York Herald-Tribune” srys: “The President’s calm tone is a relief, but he failed to specify how such a Utopian income can be achieved.” The Republicans made the charge that the message was evasive, and dc.rimental to business, also that it failed to point to a specific remedy for business recission. Senator Vandenberg commented that President Roosevelt has said much in self defence but he is still a victim of delusions. Th national income will continue to recede until business is given a fair chance under a competitive capitalistic system. The broadcast of President Roosevelt’s message to the United States Congress, on the state of the Union today, was relayed this evening on the national and Empire programmes. ITALO-GERMAN PRESS REACTION SUPPRESSION OF VITAL POINTS

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received January 5. 12.33 a.m.) ROME, January 4. The Italian newspapers print a 40line official summary of President Roosevelt’s speech, completely omitting all references to democracy and the condemnation of totalitarianism. The Berlin press generally abbreviates the speech, which “The Allgemeine Zeitung” considers arrogant in criticism of political systems differing from American.

COURT UPHOLDS LOAN PLAN / UNITED STATES POWER PROJECTS VICTORY FOR NEW DEAL SEEN United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received January 4, 6.30 pun.) WASHINGTON, January 3. What is considered to be another signal victory for the New Deal is seen in the Supreme Court decision declaring constitutional Federal Government loans and grants to municipalities to construct electric power projects. Under the decision allowances of 86,001,000 dollars will now be made for fifty-two such projects.