AMERICAN ENVOY

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21036, 12 February 1940, Page 7

AMERICAN ENVOY

OBJECT CLARIFIED MR HULL’S STATEMENT CREATION OF SOLIDARITY (United Pre** assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyrlghi) WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 Mr Welles and Mr Myron Taylor, who has been appointed envoy to the Vatican, will sail for Italy on February 17. A further statement by Mr Cordell Hull, Secretary of State, is regarded as clarifying Mr Roosevelt’s peace efforts and emphasising that they are not directed at securing the immediate cessation of hostilities. Mr Hull said: “The conversations with neutral countries are for the purpose of determining an equitable economic basis for peace after the war has ended.” He added that the United States was seeking commitments from neutrals on principles of a programme of sound international relations, the United States believing such relations and the progressive curtailment of armaments to be the only means of avoiding world autarchy and economic totalitarianism. The conversations would be limited to achieving agreement upon these issues and so creating solidarity when the peace conference came. Of The Future The New York Times approves Mr Welles’ trip to Europe. It adds that the fact that Mr Roosevelt undoubtedly knows the slightness of the prospect of immediate peace does not prevent him from thinking about the world that must emerge from the present tragedy. “We have no right to tell those bearing the strain and grief of the struggle what they must do to end it. but we know there cannot be durable peace unless there is an eventual reduction of armaments and trade barriers,” says the paper. “If neutrals can face common troubles with a common outlook, the next peace may be more than an armed truce. The talks with neutrals are proof of long-range thinking of the right sort.” MR WELLES’ MISSION WELCOME ASSURED NO INTENTION TO MEDIATE (United Press Asm. —Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Feb. 11 Although Mr Roosevelt’s decision to send Mr Welles to Europe is described in some quarters as opening a new “peace offensive,” the latest information suggests it is more concerned with neutral countries than with the belligerents. It is stated semi-officially in Paris that the mission will be highly welcome. There is no question of Mr Welles’ acting as a mediator. The neutral press generally welcomes the mission and commends its purpose, with the exception of the newspapers in Italy, where it is considered Mr Roosevelt is too prejudiced in favour of the Allies. The London Daily Telegraph says the effects of five months of war on the determination of the British and French people must be well known to Mr Roosevelt, says a British Official wireless message. “He is not less able to judge what change of heart has occurred in Hitler since August when the President’s appeal to him to keep the peace had not the slightest effect, and since November, when Queen Wilhelmina asked Hitler to take the first step toward peace and he would not move one inch from the plunder he had seized,” says the Telegraph. “Mr Roosevelt will also be well informed of the feeling aroused in the neutral States of Europe by the brutality of German warfare, and will have perceived their movement toward consolidation in defence. The President must be well aware that we shall not abate one letter of our terms for peace.”

By this morning all the countries to be visited by Mr Welles had expressed their approval—except Germany.