ARMS EMBARGO

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20918, 25 September 1939, Page 8

ARMS EMBARGO

APPEAL AGAINST REPEAL SOVIET-GERMAN REQUESTS MESSAGES TO U.S.A. (United Press Assn.—Elec. TeL Copyrlgnt) WASHINGTON, Sept. 23 The United States Government possesses wireless and cable messages from Russia and Germany addressed to individual citizens of this country urging the stirring up of a campaign against the repeal of the arms embargo. A typical message says: “In view of the forthcoming session of Congress and the possible amendment of the neutrality law after the alleged Athenia incident and bombing of open towns in Poland, please ask our American friends to appeal immediately by telegraph to Congress for the full maintenance of the neutrality law. “Remind them of the last war and the futility of the sacrifice made by all, including the United States, and particularly that there is no real difference between the American and the German people, and that the war should be localised and a new world war avoided. “Please assist to your utmost.” Officials believe the messages will lead to the source of many letters and telegrams opposing the repeal of the embargo. Record Postal Business The Senate’s postal business is approaching a record. More than 150,000 pieces of mail are being handled daily, compared with the normal 40,000. The Government’s plans for counteracting the expected more intensive anti-repeal campaign have not been revealed. Broadcasts are likely in an attempt to prevent Oppositionists making the repeal issue one of peace or war. A section of the Espionage Act has been revived compelling agents of foreign Governments to notify the State Department about their activities. New regulations have been issued requiring the registration of members of foreign Embassies engaged in political activity.

PRESIDENT’S FUTURE

WILL HE SEEK THIRD TERM? EUROPEAN WAR PROBLEMS (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) NEW YORK, Sept. 23 In an interview with the Scripps Howard newspapers, Mr A. M. Landon, who was the Republican candidate for the Presidency in 1936, asserted that the greatest single contribution Mr Roosevelt could make in the present troubled situation would be to tell the nation he did not want and would not accept a third term of office. Unless he did this it would be impossible to eliminate politics in dealing with the problems which the European war had created. Interviewed at Hyde Park, Mr Roosevelt declined to comment on Mr Landon’s suggestion. Friends of Mr Roosevelt interpret Mr Landon’s suggestion as an attempt to put the President “on the spot” politically. Liberty of Action The New York Herald-Tribune states:— “There are broader and more basic arguments favouring repeal of the present law which the President could not well explore. The United States is facing a complex, difficult and wholly unpredictable situation, therefore it is primarily important to regain liberty of action to deal with eventualities. "No legislation should prevent the United States going to war if war is the only means of defending our vital interests. No insults, difficulties or incidents will compel the United States to fight if her vital interests do not demand it. Neither peace nor war is the issue. It is a question whether to bind ourselves with fetters that have proved unsatisfactory in the past and that will only be more difficult to break in the future.” RESPECT FOR LAW NEUTRALITY CONFERENCE “AMERICA FOR HUMANITY” (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) BALBOA, Sept. 23 In opening the Pan-American Neutrality Conference, the President, Dr. Don Juan Arosemena, dissociated the Americas from the principle of totalitarianism. He suggested the motto “America for Humanity.” The President said the representatives of 21 republics had a great opportunity to reaffirm the basis of pan-American civilisation, namely, “Equality of opportunity, personal security, spiritual liberty and respect for the law.” Flood of German Propaganda The correspondent of the New York Times at Buenos Aires states that German propaganda is flooding Latin America With warnings that the Pan-American neutrality conference at Panama is an excuse for making the southern republics United States protectorates. It declares that Washington is exploiting the assassination of the Rumanian Prime Minister, M. Calinescu, to sidetrack neutrality and again offer United States protection, and to spread a scare about the necessity of continental defence against German invasion. The propaganda alleges that the sale of freighters to Chile and Brazil by the United States is designed to isolate the Argentine in its stand against the United States. The presence of a large German delegation at Panama is explained on the ground of watching German interests in Latin America.