Evening star., 1939-04-16

COrpln, went 10 the foreign ONCE
this morning on an urgent call to
discuss the reported movements of
Spanish and italian troops IN Span
ish Morocco, just across from Glib
raltar.
Already Britain has taken un-
usual precautions to secure its great
bastion at the western gateway to
the Mediterranean.
A British-French military agree
ment with Russia, 1t was generally
felt, would have perhaps an even
greater deterrent effect on the axis
powers than the Presidents ad-
dress.
Sir William, Seeds, the British
Ambassador in Moscow, called on
Foreign Commissar Maxim Litvinon
this afternoon, and the two were
believed to have discussed an air
pact whereby Russia's flyers would
aid Poland or Rumania If either
Of these nations were attacked.
Negotiations also were proceed
ing for a British Turkish alliance
The Soviet government clung to
its customary official silence and re-
Trained from comment on Presi-
dent Roosevelt's peace plea.
Moscow's midnight news broadcast
made no mention of the Presidents s
action.
Official quarters likewise were 81
lent on the outcome of talks be-
tween the British Ambassador and
Foreign Commissar Litvinon.
Text Broadcast in 2 Languages.
The full text of President Roose-
velt's appeal to Hitler and Musso.
lini was broadcast in German and
Italian by Britain's government ra-
dio network.
Not even United States Ambas-
sador Joseph P. Kennedy knew be-
forehand about dispatch of the
message. He was at Windsor Castle
as the guest of King George and
Queen Elizabeth when the text was
cabled from the State Department
to the chancellery.
Herschel v. Johnson, counselor
temporarily In charge of the Amer
lean Embassy. telephoned Mr.. Ken
nedy and the Ambassador had the
pleasure of breaking the news to
the King and Queen.
Mr.. johnson then drove to the for
eign Office during the noon hour
handing in the text of the message
without comment.
The leader Of the Laborite oppo-
sition in Parliament, Clement Att
lee, who also was spending the week
end at Windsor, commented that
the Roosevelt message was "a very
valuable piece Of initiative"
1T Is a great thing he said, that
President Roosevelt should have
taken this STEP"
Lauded by London Times.
The Sunday Times. first London
newspaper to comment, said:
I'm Mr.. Roosevelt's noble and
humane words the voice of the
whole American Nation is unmis-
takably heard. It is an appeal to
which surely no head of a great
country, no ruler responsible for the
destinies Of his people, dare shut
his ears"
The Daily Express. splashing the
text Of the message on its front page
termed 1t lone Of the most dramatic
kilograms in history"
The peace appeal was welcomed
in many countries. In Brussels, the
Belgian foreign minister, Eugene
Soudan, said that 1T goes without
saying that Belgium, like all other
nations, halls the Presidents sue-
gestion with the utmost satisfaction
and sympathy"
Informed quarters in BELGRADE
said that any initiative to further
the cause of peace was welcomed
by Jugoslavia with the greatest sat-
isfaction." The United States. they
said, could count on Yugoslavia
for any cooperation which might
be helpful In promoting peace,
United States Minister Arthur Bliss
Lane had an appointment to dis
cuss the Roosevelt program with
Foreign Minister Alexander Cinca-
Markovich tomorrow.
Firms Are Appreciative.
Appreciation of the message was
voiced in Helsingfors. although Fin
nish circles, said they considered
Finland out Of the center of pres
ent international events. The coun-
try has decided firmly, they said.
to defend neutrality with all avail
able means should attack come from
any source.
Finland was described in political
quarters rs being more anxious
about Soviet Russia's plans than
any danger threatening from Ger
many.
Norwegians in Oslo acclaimed the
message enthusiastically. Many
suggested that II the Presidents s
effort should be successful he would
be "the most qualified for the Nobel
peace prize since the prize was in
stituted."
Rumanians Welcome Appeal.
All indications in Bucharest were
that Rumania welcomed the peace
appeal, although three was no ON
cial comment. Premier Armand
Calinescu and Foreign Minister Gri-
gore Gafencu studied the American
proposal with King Carol at the
royal palace.
The British Parliament will be
asked Tuesday to debate q resolu-
ton calling for compulsory mo-
biliSation Of the man, munition and
money power Of tho nation"