AWAY FROM WAR

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 76, Issue 115, 18 May 1933, Page 7

AWAY FROM WAR

ROOSEVELTS MESSAGE PLAN FOR WORLD PEACE WEAPONS OF ATTACK TO GO aggression denounced (By Telegraph— Press Association— Copyright) Beceived May 17, 9-20 P-*“-WASHINGTON, May 10. Mr. Boosevelt to-night stood . with a direct appeal to renounce ag gresaiou and abolish the powerlu. weapons of attack, that the nations of the world may move together ward peace and prosperity. Amid ae claim from the electea representatives, the President turned expectantly to ward Berlin, Tokio and other impor taut capitals, on whose reaction depends the success of his effort to lead the world away rrom war and talk of war. He resounded America s approval of Mr. Ramsay MacDonald arms jJan. Encouragement was drawn from pre limiuarv dispatches saying that the message was very favourably receiveu by German statesmen, for most of al. the officials at Washington were con cerned with the attitude of Hitlente Germany. The message is seen m official quarters as striking, at th. roots of the strife in the Far East to the open war in South America and of foreboding troublous days in Europe arising from dissatisfaction with the Versailles Treaty. The President appealed directly to the rulers of the nations to reduce armaments, eliminate entirely the weapons of aggression, refrain from sending any armed force whatsoever beyond their own borders, forget then “petty” national aims, and join sin cerely to assure peace and economic recovery. In his plain speaking message he asked for specific steps imine diately, and •ierlared that if any nation inteiposed obstructions the civilised world would “know whe-,«-the iesfusibility for failure lies. He mentioned no nation by name, but his words rang through the diplomatic world with dramatic significance at a moment when certain leaders in Germany were asking for greater armaments and when Japanese troops were marching deeper into China. * Addressed to Kings The message, contrary to longstand ing diplomatic practice, was addressed to the kings, potentates, and presidents of all 54 nations to be repre sented at the London Conference, in eluding Russia. As the intermediate goal, the President asked for success for the Geneva Arms Conference and tae Economic Conference, and proposed the adoption at Geneva of Mr. MacDonald's plan to reduce the armaments of France, stabilise those <*f Germany, and set up a consultative pact to promote peace. President Roosevelt also suggested agreement upon the time and place of a later conference to carry these steps still further. Amidst increasing conjecture over the inclusion of Russia among the nations receiving President Roosevelt’s message, Senator Robinson (De mocratic leader), said: * f This act ma} have the effect of recognising th< Soviet Government.’’ WHAT MESSAGE MEANS STRENGTHENING KELLOGG PACT AND HELPING TO ENFORCE it Received May 17, 10.55 p.m. NEW YUiiK, May 12. Mr. Roosevelt’s message to the rulers of the woild nas created as much of a sensation here as anywhere. Unofficial comment stresses it> Wilsonian flavour, its diplomatic un orthodoxy', its consciousness of power its keynote of the resumption byAmerica of her share of the responsibility in the strife-torn family ot nations. What is regarded as one of the greatest contributions of the plan i« the possibility of a lasting Franco German peace by relieving both na tions of the haunting fear of an unexpected attack. The President now makes clear the idea of the punish ment of the nation which violates its non-aggression pledge. The Press reaction to the address is universally favourablbe, as are the comments. The New York Times, m a leader, expresses the opinion that an intimation has been clearly given that the United States Government is prepared not only to supplement and strengthen the Briand-Kellogg Pact, but will also join in enforcing it. It declares that Mr. Roosevelt has perceived a great opportunity and has sought to live up tc a solemn respons : bility. The mes asge is broader in scope and more daring than ever the words President Wilson used in the midst of the world war. Its audacity would have startled in older American generation.