Evening star., 1939-04-16
Nazis Scorn Rooseve|ts Appea|
To Pledge World 1O-Year Peace;
Britain France Seize Pact Idea
President Plans
Arms Relief if
Axis Accepts
BY the Associated Press.

0y the Associated PreSS.
President Roosevelt has asked
Chancellor Hitler and Premier Mus
solini to promise q crisis-weary
world 10 unbroken years Of peace
by giving assurances they will not
send their armies crashing into
lands now independent.
He told the German and italian
dictators that If they complied he
would gather the nations of the
world about council table to obtain
relief from the crushing burden
Of armament" and so rearrange the
worlds economy that all countries
may have access to the raw materials
and products they need.
Mr.. Roosevelt's entreaty, so
phrased that while conciliatory and
friendly. 1t was also firm and in some
passages even blunt. went forward
to Berlin and Rome Friday night.
1t was announced at special press
conference yesterday morning, with
the President adding that he and
Secretary Of State Hull had both
slept the better Friday night for
having discharged what they con-
sldered a conscience-duty to do
whatever they could to prevent the
outbreak of a devastating war.
Frank Statement Sought.
Three nations in Europe and one
In Africa have seen their inde-
pendent existence terminated" the
Identical messages said. 80 Re-
ports insist that further acts
OF aggression are contemplated. - :
You have repeatedly asserted that
you and the German (and Italian)
people have no desire for war. If
this is true, there need be no war.
I am convinced that the cause
OF world peace would be greatly ad-
vanced II the nations of the
world were to obtain frank state
ment relating to the present and fu-
ture policies Of governments"
Then the President put the future
brusquely up to the dictators with an
unadorned question:
Are you willing to give assurances
that your armed forces will not at
tack or invade the territory or pos-
sessions of the following independent
nations p"
He went on to name every country
IN Europe except. of course, Italy,
Germany and the territories they
already have seized.
Oners to Act IS Intermediary.
Continuing, he told the dictators
ne was sure the other European
nations would be willing to make a
like guarantee, and he offered to
act as an intermediary" Omcials
explained that with the use of thai
word, the President was not offering
to mediate" European quarrels. but
rather to act as post office" for
keeping each nation acquainted with
the others views.
Word Of what had been done
spread through Europes capitals
even before the Presidents press
conference.
French and British officials. weary
from their effort to negotiate a
stop-Hitler alliance, were elated,
Nine Latin American nations sent
communications to the State De-
partment last night supporting the
peace appeal. The names of the
nations were not made public imme-
diately.
Comment Is Diverse.
In Washington, Mr.. Rooseyelt's
move was promptly caught up in
the continuing controversy between
congressional isolationists and those
who feel America should take bold
steps in connection with Europe,s
crisis.
Its good publicity" sardonically
observed the Senate's arch-isola- =
zionist, Senator johnson, Republican
OF California.
ITS very constructive and laud-
able proposal" said Senator Bark
ley of Kentucky, the majority
leader.
If we let Europe alone they won't
have any war;" said Senator George,
Democrat, of Georgia. He added,
however, that If something could be
done to re-establish world trade by
(See ROOSEVELT, Page A-4.)