Evening star., 1939-04-20
Duce Rejects Rooseve|t's Plea
for Peace Guarantee as "Absurd"
Reich Parades New Giant Guns
Intent to Attack
Any Country
Is Denied
European Developments

S0sVpS0H DSVSsOpsuSusS
PREMIER MUSSOLINI REJECTS
President Roosevelt's plea for 10
year guarantee of peace, but de-
nies he plans attack. Page Al
TEXT OF PREMIER MUsSOLINI's
broadcast speech on Page Al
GERMANY PARADEs NIGHT in
celebration Of Chancellor Hitler's
50th birthday anniversary; new
= anti-aircraft artillery a sensation.
Page Al
CHANCELLOR HITLER reported
canvasing 20 nations for denials
that they fear axis; may be basis
of reply to Roosevelt. Page Al
BULGARIA Is REPORTED to have
presented to Rumania claims for
return Of portion Of Dobruja re-
gion. Page Al
SOVIET AMBASSADOR to Ger
many returns to Moscow; new era
Of cooperation is seen aim of
Central Europe. Page ALL
POPE Plus XII CALLS for "cru-
{ sade of prayer" throughout world
next month on behalf Of world
peace. Page Ala
Dy the Associated Press.
ROME, April 20.-Premier Mus
solini today termed absurd" Presi-
dent Roosevelt's proposal Of l0-year
peace guarantees which do not take
into account the pyramidal errors
Of geography" and cited plans for
the 1912 Rome Universal Exposi-
ton as proof that we do not intend
to attack any one"
Speaking In the shadow of the
heroic statue of Julius Caesar in
Rome before a committee on organi-
zation of the exposition, II Duce
said:
If we had any intention of light
ing the fuse, If we were cherishing
obscure aggressive designs, we would
not be dedicating ourselves, as we
afe doing, to work of such vast pro-
porttons-that of organizing a world
exposition"
Refers to Message BY Implication.
He did not mention President
Roosevelt by name but he made the
object Of his comment clear by
speaking Of "the well-known mes
sage"-the peace appeal Of last Sat-
urday.
II Duce declared it was absolutely
unjust and unjustifiAble from any
point Of view to attempt to place
nations Of the axis Germany and
italy, on the seat Of the accused.
mo less absurd Is the proposal of
reciprocal guarantees lasting 10
years which do not take into account
the pyramidal errors of geography
into which individuals have fallen
who have not even the most rudi-
mentary knowledge Of European af-
fairs"
Bitter Conference Lessons.
T OF world conference proposals,
which President Roosevelt included
In his appeal, Mussonni said:
For the proposed expansive con-
ference in which the United States
would limit itself effectively to its
customary role of distant spectator,
experience gives us some bitter les
sons on this score: Namely, that the
greater the number of conferees the
more certainty there is of failure"
Then, stating that whether or not
any reply is sent to the well-known
message" he reafiirmed that the
policy of Rome and of the Rome
Berlin axis 'is a policy inspired by
the criterions of peace and of COL
laboration."
Diplomatic representatives of
countries which already have ac-
cepted invitations to participate in
the 1912 exposition were present to
hear II Duce's address. The United
States has not yet accepted an in
vitation and was not represented.
Mussolini opened his talk on
note of quiet irony. The meeting, he
said, was "the first act of a great
mobilization"
Let not" he continued, "the few,
(Cno 16YYCC0Y YHIT n.-.