Evening star., 1939-04-28


at this time to re-read the exact
wording of that part of the Presi-
dents message which related to the
conference method of settling dis
putes. Many persons who read the
message hurriedly did not notice, for
example, that the President did not
offer his services as mediator" as
the term is officially used in the
relations of independent states at
war or near war. What Mr.. Roose-
Avelt did was to refer to himself as a
friendly intermediary" for the pur-
pose of communicating declarations
of national policy.
What is more important to con-
slider is that Mr.. Roosevelt proposed
a peace conference in which the
United States would take part only
In certain phases. Thus America did
not intend at any time to participate
in the discussion of European boun-
Diary questions or matters Of terri
torial controversy. Three separate
problems were raised by Mr.. Roose-
-xelt, and America would remain aloof
from one-poitical questions-and
take part in the solution of the other
two, namely, reduction Of armament
expense and world economic adjust
ments.
Follows U. S. Policy.
Traditionally. the United States,
under Republican as well as Demo-
cratic administrations. has played
an active part in endeavoring to re-
duce armament by international
agreement and also has participated
In international economic confer
ences. The verbatim quotation from
the Presidents proposal which alone
is to be considered in appraising the
Hitler answer is as follows:
"The discussions which I have in
mind relate to the most effective and
immediate manner through which
the people of the world can obtain
progressive relief from the crushing
burden of armament which is each
day bringing them more closely to
the brink of economic disaster. 81
multaneously the Government Of the
United States would be prepared to
take part in discussions looking to-
wards the most practical manner OF
opening up avenues of international
trade to the end that every nation
of the earth may be enabled to buy
and sell on equal terms in the world
market. as we'll as to possess assur-
ance of obtaining the materials and
products Of peaceful economic life.
''At the same time, those govern
ments other than the United States
which are directly interested could
undertake such political discussions
as they may consider necessary or
desirable.
Discussion Is Issue.
1--WE recognize complex world prob
lens which affect all humanity but
we know that study and discussion
of them must be held in an atmos-
>phere of peace. Such an atmosphere
Of peace cannot exist if negotiations
are overshadowed by the threat Of
force or by the fear of war"
The word discussion" occurs four
times in this epoch-making proposal
and it was plainly designed to get
started in the world a consultation
out of which an economic program
might be evolved.
In appraising the Hitler answer,
therefore, the question to be asked
is whether the speech precludes any
further discussion. or whether it
, offers an opportunity to carry on
the debate before the whole world.
Clearly any assurance that Germany
and Italy do not intend to attack
or invade the territory or possess
sions' of the 81 countries listed con-
stitutes a record which 1t will not
be easy for the totalitarian states
to disregard without permanently in
juring their prestige throughout the
world and perhaps accelerating the
outbreak of war. In these respects
the exchange Of speeches or messages
, has distinctly beneficial side ire
spective Of the bombast or indigna-
ton enveloping the reply from the
dictatorship countries.