Eight Point Charter of Freedom

Timaru Herald, Volume CL, Issue 22043, 16 August 1941, Page 5

Eight Point Charter of Freedom

Dramatic Meeting of Leaders Material Results May Follow By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received 11 p.m.) LONDON, August 14. BRITISH commentators, after a careful examination of the “eight point charter of freedom,” emphasise the momentous nature of the declaration. It is generally believed that there will be other and more material results from the dramatic meeting. The diplomatic correspondent of the “Daily Mail” says the meeting fixed the basis for a comprehensive war production plan ensuring 100 per cent efficiency for Britain’s military, naval and air strategy. America’s role for the time being will remain as the arsenal of democracy. A joint organisation of British and American experts is to .co-ordinate production in the United States. The requirements of Britain and Russia will be announced shortly. The White House disclosed that at least one conference between Mr Roosevelt and Mr Churchill occurred on board the battleship H.M.S. Prince of Wales. Photographs of the President and Prime Minister issued to-day showed them aboard the battleship. One picture showed Mr Churchill and Mr Roosevelt with the senior British and American military and naval chiefs aboard the American cruiser Augusta. The photograph portraying the President and Mr. Churchill aboard the Prince of Wales bore the caption: “Taken after church services.” It is dated August 10.

Explaining why Mr Attlee’s statement surprised Britain, although the American public have been reading about the meeting since Tuesday, the “Daily Mail” says Mr Roosevelt requested that no mention be made of it in the British newspapers. Quotations from American papers cabled throughout the world were certainly in possession of the Germans, but Mr Roosevelt insisted on no official statement being made until after the meeting because he was anxious for Mr Churchill’s safety. Mr Roosevelt realised that if the Germans knew about Mr Churchill’s transatlantic journey they would do their utmost to attack him. The British Government acceded to Mr Roosevelt’s urgent request, but extracts from unceHsored American newspapers began to arrive in Britain on Tuesday. A decision had then to be made whether British papers should publish quotations, but it was decided to maintain the censorship (1) because the reprinting of the reports would tend to confirm the meeting for thq Germans, and (2) enemy agents would then have a good chance •of picking up something valuable from persons knowing something of Mr Churchill’s journey. The Axis mouthpieces took some time to decide how to deal with Mr Attlee’s statement. The Berlin News Agency finally issued a very brief statement saying that Mr Roosevelt and Mr Churchill met on the high seas and agreed to an eight point War statement, the highlight of which was the disarmament of the Axis Powers. The Berlin radio, in an overseas transmission, said the declaration was obviously nothing but a means for helping England and America to overcome the embarrassment caused by the present military situation. The Vichy News Agency stated that the declaration was an insufficient assurance of peace and justice, but simply refurbished the Wilsonian doctrine which experience had shown was insufficient.

HIGH PRAISE High praise for the RooseveltChurchill declaration came from administration supporters. Comments of members of the House of Representatives are as follows: Mr May: To my mind it represents the turning point in the history of the world. Mr A. J. Sabath: It is a wonderful agreement by which Britain is willing to forego any gains. Mr Sol Bloom: The statement crystalises the aims and aspirations on which all freedom loving people are so closely joined. Mr Connally: The declaration embodies principles of noble and lofty conception with which I feel sure the people of the United States will agree. Senator Walsh, chairman of the Senate Naval Committee, said: “The declaration will commit the United States to full partnership with Britain to the bitter end. It is a commitment for partnership far beyond the President’s constitutional powers.” Discordant Views Discordant disapproving views are also expressed. Mr McCarran declared: “The statement is based on the unwarranted assumption that the United States is a belligerent. It is tantamount to a declaration of war which is the province of Congress." Mf Worth Clark, an Isolationist said: “It is very significant that our foreign policy is released from tiondon on the radio rather than from the United States.” Senator Brooks considered “the statement sounds very like a preliminary bid for peace which the majority of the American people will welcome provided it is genuine and not camouflage moving us into war.” Newspaper Comment .. “Tire Times” in a leader, says Mr Churchill's crossing of the Atlantic in (he midst of a military blizzard may well accelerate the elimination of Hitler and his imitators. The value

of the declaration is immense. By common assent it is recognised that the economic foundations for peace are as Important as the political or even more so. Referring to Japan, “The Times” says the Japanese certainly are included among the “others” whose policy of domination by conquest constitutes a danger to world civilisation. In no other part of the world is collaboration between the United States and the British Empire more essential than in the Far East. The “New York Mirror” said: “Mr Roosevelt has committed this nation to a military alliance aimed at the Anal destruction of the Nazi tyrannt.” Eventuality Overlooked The Stefani Agency says Mr Churchill and Mr Roosevelt seemingly account for all eventualities except one whose importance cannot have escaped them, namely, the possibility of an Axis victory. The Japanese newspaper “Kokumin” safd the Churchill-Roosevelt statement is the last struggle for the status quo of nations. The reckless attitude of the British and Americans will only push the situation into a dangerous stage. America’s folly for playing into Britain’s hands is laughable. The statement will serve as the turning point for an intensified Axis offensive. It is reported that Mr Churchill and Mr Roosevelt sent a joint message to M. Stalin reaffirming Britain’s and America’s intention to fully support Russia.

standing and co-operation in the prosecution of the war and complete agreement in its eventual objects a peace of victory but not of vengeance. Not Met Previously Mr Churchill and Mr Roosevelt had never met before, but were accustomed to call each other Winston and Franklin over the Atlantic telephone. Mr Churchill took not only a plentiful supply of cigars but also a number of British films to meet Mr Roosevelt’s passion for the cinema.