TOPICS OF THE DAY

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20774, 6 April 1939, Page 6

TOPICS OF THE DAY

Americas Influence “Just as in 1914 there would have been no war if the Kaiser had known that the United States would be in the field against him unless lie consented to Grey’s conference, so Hitler and Mussolini would think twice in the light of a similar warning. They are stampeding into war under tho conviction that the democracies are a rabble and cannot put up a united front against the 'axis.’ It is an illusion that, should war come, events would soon shatter. But then it would be too late to prevent war. The illusion must be shattered now. And President Roosevelt can shatter it. Let him summon a world conference to consider how peace can be preserved and on what terms world reconciliation can be secured. No one can issue the invitation with the same disinterested authority, and the mere announcement of the fact would send a thrill of hope through the world, and not least through the world of the dictators, that would shake the ‘axis’ to its foundations. But would the dictators accept ? Perhaps not; probably not. But, whether they accepted or no, the gesture would be equally decisive.”—Air A. G. Gardiner, writing in the London Star.