Evening star., 1939-04-15
Plea Seen Prompted
By Fear Of War in
Next Few Weeks
Late European News
Indicated Possibility
Of Sudden Coup
BY CONSTANTINE BROWN.

President Roosevelt's dramatic ap-
peal to Chancellor Hitler and Pre-
mier Mussolini to hold their war
dogs is believed to have been
prompted by confidential informa-
ton reaching the White House and
State Department concerning the
possibility Of major conflagration
in the course of the next few weeks.
During the last "a hours news
from Spain was distinctly disturb
ing. There is every indication, In
view of the fact that Spanish and
Italian forces are massing near the
British stronghold in the Mediter-
ranean, that the dictators are
planning a coup there. The British
intelligence service is reported to
believe that this coup would form
Hitler's birthday present-April 70.
Because of this information and
other similar disquieting reports
from Holland, Poland, Rumania and
Greece, the President made up his
mind yesterday afternoon to appeal
to the two dictators before troops
were actually on the march. The
administration did not take such a
step when Czecho-Slovakia and AL
bania were invaded, because it was
too late. Italian and German troops
had actually penetrated those terri
tories when the world heard of it and
it was evident that no intervention
unless by force-Would have been of
avail.
Fixes Responsibility for War.
In order to avoid a repetition of
lightning invasions and because
there is every indication that more
independent countries are threat
ened, Mr.. Roosevelt after consulting
yesterday afternoon Secretary Hull
and Under Secretary Sumner Welles
as we'll as Senator Key Pittman,
made his dramatic appeal to the
Germans and the Italians. In point
ing out that hundreds of millions of
people would be affected if the Ger
man and Italian war machinery be-
gan to move the President placed
squarely on Hitler and Mussolini the
responsibility for what may occur.
Mr.. Roosevelt invited the two
dictator countries to park their guns
before entering the international
conference room where, he believes
all nations may obtain satisfaction
without bloodshed and a complete
economic and social destruction of
the present institutions. He also
tN0k 1n Iio$o t@r
this nation is not speaking because
1t is afraid or it is weak In max
ing this statement chat no govern
| ment has the right to inf1ict the
consequences Of war on its own and
other peoples we as Americans
speak not through selhshness or
fear or weakness. If we speak now
it is with the voice of strength and
with friendship for mankind"
| Mr.. Roosevelt pointed out some
what caustically that there is no
need for the totantarlan states to
make it as an essential condition for
conference that the verdict of such
a gathering WILL be assured before
hand favorable to them and that
unless SUCH an assurance is forth
coming they woulu not lay aside
their arms.
Point Blank Assurance Asked.
The President demanded point
blank assurances Tor Mussolini and
Hitler that their armies will not
molest any OF the nations of Europe
and most OF the middle east. This
assurance OF non-aggression should
be given tor a period of minimum
five years, but preferably 10. He had
no doubt that the other European
nations would not hesitate to accept
such a non-aggresslon agreement
The United States would then be
prepared to Join the other powers
in a conference to discuss the world
problems 'in the resulting peaceful
surroundings"
But the United States would par
ticipate in an international confer
ence to discuss only two principal
problems which have concerned all
the American Governments ever
since the end of the last World War.
These are: Cd Limitation of arma-
ments. or as Mr.. Roosevelt expressed
it: THE most effective and i'm
mediate manner through which the
peoples of the world can obtain pro-
gressive relief from the crushing
burden of armament =" and (2)
economic and international trade
matters looking toward the most
practical manner of opening up ave-
nues of international trade. = ="
U. 5. to Discuss Trade.
While these discussions take place
with the participation of the United
States Government, those govern
ments other than the United States
which are directly interested could
undertake such political discussions
as they may consider necessary or
desirable" In other words, the coun-
tries which have territorial con-
troversies-such as the colonial ques-
tion-will have an opportunity to
discuss them-with guns parked out
side the conference room.
The message sent to Herr Hitler was
signed by the President himself, be-
cause Hitler as head of state IS
Mr.. Roosevelt's equal. The message
sent to Mussolini was signed by Sec
retary Cordell Hull because NOM
inally II Duce is only Italys prime
minister
The State Department hopes that
an answer will be received in Wash
ington within the next 48 hours and
while high officials are not over
optimistic that the Presidents
message will settle the European
quarrels, it is hoped that it may
bring some relief to the present
threatening situation. Armies are
not on the march yet" it was stated,
"but they are mighty close to it."
}. Frunk Steele Dies;
0>-I c>l-L n>A.