The Washington times., 1938-09-20
F. D. R. is ASKED
TO CALL WORLD
PEACE PARLEY
Most Of Europe Seen
Favoring Plan
BY EARL GOODWIN

TdVUlIlIS TldII
BY EARL GOODWIN
President Roosevelt is being
called on by unofficial but power
full influence around the world
to call a world conference of The
powers to stop the impending wal
in Europe and devise a policy
which will save the peace Of the
world.
Hardly had the news of edi
torial expressions Of this hope
and suggestion been printed in two
Paris papers than similar appeal
was voiced in an editorial in an
Ottawa paper yesterday. In ad.
dition, private individuals have
been beating the bushes with the
same kind of sentiment in this
country.
GUGGENHEIM ACTIVE
Pressure for a world peace as
eembly to be called by President
Roosevelt continued today through
the activities of William Guggen-
helm, former copper king" and
honorary president of the Inter
national Benjamin Franklin Peace
Society. Mr.. Guggenhein today
made public cables sent to Cham
berlain, Daladier MuSsolini, Hitler
and Benes, and also letter
written to Secretary of State Hull
suggesting that party politics be
dropped in this country and the
presentation of united front for
peace.
AS far as the President is con-
cerned, the White House is as
silent as the tomb: but of course
it would be impossible for him or
his secretariat to avoid the knowl'
edge that this upruSh of senti-
ment is being put forward as the
one last and only hope for an
immediate and lasting peace.
NO ANSWER LIKELY
II is not likely that any sug-
gestion of an answer to these pleas
will be forthcoming. Even if
plea for Rooseveltian Intervention
should be couched in official Ian
guage from one or more of the
European powers, the President is
not likely to utter a single word
or give any hint until after he
had considered the matter with
the deepest sincerity and after
having studied the almost unend-
ing possibilities that would sur
round so important a step.
Europe leans toward America
in this crisis, and there is first
hand evidence that the English
government believes this country'S
influence for peace must be
sought. U. S. Ambassador Ken
nedy has been called into consul
tation Immediately following cab
met sessions in London; he has
remained closeted with Prime Min
lister Chamberlain for an hour and
q half at a time. The strong sug-
gestion is that Ambassador Ken,
nedy has given a detailed tele-
phonic report to- the President
after each of these unusual con-
ferences. Every indication points
to the closest intimacy between
the White House and Downing
Street in the present emergency.
TO KEEP OWN COUNSEL
Officials here are inclined to
believe the President will keep his
own counsel; will utilize the
knowledge he receives daily from
American diplomatic sources, but
that he will proceed with extreme
caution before he makes any move
toward putting a finger in the
European pie.
The President has told friends
he believes this country to be a
hundred per cent against any in
reference in Europe. He has the
problem of administering the John.
son Act and the recent Neutrality
Act; and he has consulted officials
as to the best method of bolster
ing this country against the shock
Of possible European war. Thai
would include strengthening, pos
Sibly the current Neutrality Act
which prevents this country pro
viding arms and munitions to tht
warning combatants.
The act cannot be changed 0
course without Congress being il
session. That there have been con
: verSationS on the subject of ar
extra session for such a purpose, i!
believed to be possible. However
the President is not anxious tt
bring Congrss back now, so som'
of his friends report. One reason
is Congress might have more tt
say about politics than Europe
and there is also a belief that tn
President is able to hold thl
country tight on a neutrallt
policy without any more leglsls
ton at the minute.
Mo+horn0c