Showdown Urged

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21415, 8 May 1941, Page 7

Showdown Urged

AMERICA AND WAR “LET US NOT WAIT” j MENACE OF HITLERISM ! j (Unted Prc«s Aun.—dec. T#l. Copyright) | (Received May 8, 11 aJft.) NEW YORjK, May 7 The Times, in an editorial on Mr H. Stimson’s speech, said:— “ The only real question is whether we shall choose to fight under our own terms and conditions or under terms and conditions set by Hitler. Let us not wait. “ Let us do so while there is still time to keep Britain in the war. Let us have a showdown with Hitler while it is still possible to have it at our own tremendous advantage.” j Plea for Immediate Action | Mr Stimson’s speech created a considerable flurry in Washington today. At the press conference, Colonel Knox, asked to comment on Mr Stimson’s plea for immediate naval action, replied:— ‘‘ It was a forthright, courageous, and enlightening talk, animated by a high spirit of patriotism. Colonel Knox, answering a question whether the Navy is ready to do the job of convoying war supplies to Britain said: “The Navy is always ready, and is readier now than ever.” Meanwhile Senator Vandenberg has endeavoured to prove that convoys are unnecessary, announcing that Mr Emory, Land Chairman of the Maritime Commission, has informed him by letter than only eight |of 205 American war supply ships i were sunk in the first three months j of 1941. Advocacy of Convoy | The Texas House of Representa- ! tives passed by 100 votes to 15 a j resolution that goods for Britain l should be convoyed, i United States newspapers today i regard Mr Stimson’s speech as the | turning point in their country’s 1 history. i “Such a statement by a responsible statesman is a fact of almost epochmaking significance, which cannot be mistaken here, or in the Axis countries, or in the United States,” it was stated in London today. The New York Herald-Tribune I states that the next two or three weeks are likely to be the most critical in the United States’ history. The j United States, the newspaper continues, has reached the end of counting on Britain to save her. The United States should have a showdown with Hitler while she could still have it with advantage. “If Britain is defeated, we are going to get war whether we like it or not,” the paper declares. President’s Great Decision In the House of Representatives, an effort by the isolationists to prevent the transfer to Britain of Axis ships seized in American ports was defeated by 161 votes to 131. Miss Dorothy Thompson, the wellknown columnist, stated at a dinner given in her honour last night that President Roosevelt was now faced with the greatest decision any man might have to make. Perhaps only I a few weeks, only a few days, or j only a few hours remained before { that decision was made.