Evening star., 1939-04-17

World Public Opinion
Behind Peace Plea,
Hull Declares
Canada, Is Lotin Nations
Commend Presidents
Note to Dictutors
Continued From First Page.)

said that the appeal stands until
somebody offers something better
and more tangible and he did not
think they would.
A quick demonstration of pam
American solidarity behind President
ROosevelt's proposals heartened ad-
ministration officials in the face of
| indications that Germany and Italy
would reject or evade any anti-war
pledge.
just as the Western World sup
ported Mr.. Roosevelt in his appeal
to Adolf Hitler during the Munich
crisis last fall, is Latin American
republics and Canada expressed
copmendation during the week end
of his plea against European aggres-
sion.
Officials here were hopeful that
similar statements would be forth
coming from Guatemala, Haiti. Hon.
duras and Paraguay to make the
American reaction unanimous.
The American countries heard
from by last night were Canada,
Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Co.
lombia. Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican
Republic, Ecuador, Salvador, Mexico,
Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Uruguay
and Venezuela.
Typical of the comment was the
statement of the Argentine Presi-
dent, r. M. Ortiz, that his nation
supports the President in his gen.
erous gesture of such high American
inspiration" Said Prime Minister
Mackenzie King of Canada:
Mr.. Roosevelt offers a peace con-
ference before war instead of after
it. No country can lightly reject
that opportunity of saving civiliza-
tion and saving itself"
Rejection Expected.
Nevertheless, unofficial word reach
ing Washington from Rome and
Berlin gave rise in diplomatic circles
to the belief that Hitler and Musso-
llnl would not accede to the Presi-
dents suggestions for keeping peace
during the next decade or quarter
century.
Both administration officials and
several members of Congress said
that IN any event-as Senator
SchWellenbach, Democrat. of WASH
lngton, put lt-rejection would def
nltely place the responsibility for
any war on Germany and Italy"
On Capitol Hill interest in the Eu-
ropean maneuvers was shared by
speculation over whether the Roose-
Velt administration might be con-
templating some new steps regarding
japanese expansion IN the Orient.
This resulted from the surprise
announcement by Secretary Swanson
OF the Navy that the main body of
the United States Fleet would be
moved back to its Pacific base from
Hampton Roads, Va. where 1t has
been based following the recent Car
ibbean maneuvers. The feet is
scheduled to sail this week.
Action Against Japan Urged,
Coupled with this was a statement
by Chairman Pittman of the Senate
Forelgn Relations Committee that
Japan had violated the nine-power
f>'So ~ AAei Nou1 sc al 1lllIld dIIO 1ndt
ne, therefore, believed the United
States might properly take economic
action against her.
Senator Pittman, who was present
Saturday when Mr.. Roosevelt made
public his letter to Hitler and Mus
sollnl at special press conference,
was reported to be contemplating
legislation to authorize economic
action.
Return of the fleet to the Pacific
was described by one Official as both
preventive and precautionary. With
the fleet in the West. he agreed.
Japan would be less likely to join
Germany and Italy in war. In
addition, he said, the United States
might have to protect its line of
supply to the Dutch and British
East Indies, where America obtains
most of its rubber.
Congressional leaders expressed
belief that any general House and
Senate discussion of Mr.. Rooseyelt's
course would be delayed until the
official reaction of Germany and
Italy was shown.