HOPES DIMINISH

Wairarapa Times-Age, 28 September 1938, Page 5

HOPES DIMINISH

DEJECTION IN UNITED STATES

WAR NOW THOUGHT INEVITABLE FAILURE OF PRESIDENT’S APPEAL. NO DOUBTS ABOUT PLACING BLAME. NEW YORK, September 26. Correspondents in Washington who saw Mr Cordell Hull, Secretary of State, leave the White House after two hours’ consultation during which he and President Roosevelt listened to Herr Hitler’s speech, commented on his profound air of dejection. It is understood that he and the President were surprised and disappointed at Herr Hitler’s failure’ even to refer to President Roosevelt’s message to the Fuehrer. This feeling of near helplessness of the two statesmen responsible for the cohduct of American foreign affairs can be said to have gripped the American people in the same way after listening to Herr Hitler’s uncompromising pronouncement. The White House emphasised that President Roosevelt’s message did not commit the United States in any way and described the move for peace as indicative of American interest in the world situation. Congressmen and peace leaders viewed the appeal hopefully but demanded strict neutrality. Americans had rallied after the President’s message. Even the “New York Sun,” noted as the bitterest antiRoosevelt organ in America, praised its tenor and expressed gratification over Mr Chamberlain’s Note and Dr Benes’s acceptance of its principles. There was a faint flicker of hope that something might cofne from the President’s bid, particularly since certain Congressional leaders seemed ready to go even beyond the President, notably Senator Lewis, a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, who proposed that the President should in the same way summon the signatories to the Versailles Treaty for a complete revision of peace terms. But now all expectations that America can do anything to stave off the horrible prospect of war have disappeared. The stiffening attitude of the Czechs, particularly the reference .in Dr Benes’s reply to President Roosevelt that “the Czechoslovak nation would defend itself if attacked,” and the semi-official statement from London that armed attack on Czechoslovakia would result in French, British and Russian support for the former, leaves Americans convinced that war is now inevitable. The impact of this belief can be said to have struck the entire Western Hemisphere, - and is reflected, for example, in cablegrams sent to Herr Hitler and to Dr Benes by President Ortiz of Argentina, making a lastmoment appeal to them to settle the dispute pacifically. But if Americans are now convinced that war is inevitable, it can also be said definitely, < without any doubt, where the blame properly falls. A leader in the “New York Sun,” which begs Americans to refrain from rash criticisms and dangerous generalisations, which will increase resentments, stresses, “If the worst should happen, and if Europe should be precipitated into the abyss, the blame must, be allocated by history on the record as it stands.” FLOCKING HOME. ATLANTIC LINERS BOOKED TO CAPACITY. PARIS, September 27. The United States Embassy has issued the following communique: “In view of the complicated European situation it is considered advisable to recommend Americans without compelling reason to continue their sojourn here to arrange to return to the United States.’ It is estimated that 85,000 Americans are at present in Europe, of whom 20,000 are tourists. Atlantic liners bound for New York during the next two weeks are booked to capacity. , “HITLER^VASISILENT” GLOOMY VIGIL AT WHITE HOUSE CONGRESSIONAL AND OTHER OPINION (Received This Day, 9.30 a.m.) WASHINGTON, September 27. In an atmosphere of gloomy and nervous tension, President Roosevelt and Mr Cordell Hull waited vainly in the blue-panelled study at the White House until late tonight for Herr Hitler’s answer to the President’s plea. Dr Benes, Mr Chamberlain and Mr Daladier during the day pledged their aid in seeking peace, but Herr Hitler was silent. The statesmen both think'they received their reply in the Fueher’s unconciliatory address, to which they listened by radio.. Mr Hull issued instructions that copies of the appeal should be sent to the Polish and Hungarian Governments. Democrats and Republicans alike praise it, but a majority issue a warning that the United States must maintain neutrality. Some express an opinion that the plea has been made too late. A body of opinion among Administration officials considers it is probably the last step the United States will take to try to avert war. Some, however, express the opinion that the way to another gesture is still open. It is said the President has not another step in mind, but it is thought that il the deadlock continued until Friday night, some new form of negotiation should not be ruled out of the question. OUR OWN DEFENCE ATTITUDE OF AUSTRALIAN LABOUR PARTY. CANBERRA, September 27. The Leader of the Opposition, Mr J. Curtin, announced the Federal Labour Party’s attitude co war as "Concentration on Australia’s own defence and no participation in any European war.” “Our security may be more menaced than hitherto,” Mr Curtin said, "therefore our whole resources must be available for our own defence. This means clearly and unequivocally that whatever else we may do as a Dominion of the British Commonwealth of Nations. no men must be sent out of Australia to participate in another war overseas.”

POLAND PLEASED

HITLER EXPECTED TO ACT. WARSAW, September 27. , Polish circles received Herr Hitler’s speech favourably, describing it as a clear “statement of ideas for peaceful settlement. Political circles do not doubt that Herr Hitler will act forcefully if the Sudeten areas are not yielded on October 1. The statement that Germany’s territorial demands will be satisfied when she obtains Sudetenland, with the reference to a Polish non-aggression pact, are taken as an assurance that no attempt is likely to regain former German territory which is now Polish. According to a London message, reports from Poland state that Poles attacked arsenals, seizing arms and ammunition, while hundreds of conscripts have gone to the forests to avoid mobilisation, with the result that all farm work is at a standstill.