Evening star., 1940-10-04
Roosevelt Quotes
Rome Item, Saying
Axis Opposes Him
Articles in D. c. Papers
Prompt Unusual Action
At Press Conference
By JOHN c. HENRY.

President Roosevelt quoted to his
press conference today a press dis
patch from Rome to the effect that
the German-Italian axis is desirous
of his defeat in the coming election,
and will do something before No
vember calculated to influence
American voting.
Occasion for the Chief Executives
unusual action was question as to
whether he had any reason to be-
lieve that the totalitarian bloc is
working for his defeat at the polls.
The Evening Star Wednesday car
ried an article by David Lawrence
saying that the axis powers actually
would prefer Mr.. Roosevelt's re-
election.
Telling his questioner today that
one should read both The Star and
the Washingto Post, the President
then read excerpts from a New York
Times dispatch which was carried
in today's Post. The part quoted
follows:
so far as the United States is
concerned, the axis is primarily in
terested in keeping her out of the
war and trying to prevent or mini
mize her help to Britain. The three
power alliance was intended to be
one step in this direction. 1t well
may be that another step will be
taken.
Dodges Other Questions.
Moreover, the axis is out to beat
President Roosevelt, not as a meas
ure of interference in American in
ternal politics, but because of the
Presidents foreign policy and be-
cause of everything for which he
stands in the eyes of Italians and
Germans.
This election is realized to be of
vast importance to the axis. There
fore it is normal strategy for the axis
to do something before November 5
which would somehow have great
effect on the electoral campaign" "
To further questions on the sig
niflcance of the piece, or his inter-
probation of it, Mr.. Roosevelt would
merely reply that he was quoting it
at you" On several occasions dur
ing the campaign speakers of both
sides have asserted or implied that
axis favor is being directed at the
rival presidential candidates.
Much of today's conference CEN
tered on foreign affairs and news ac-
counts of what is happening abroad.
In one discussion the President
admitted it to be perfectly obvious
that discussions are under way be-
tween this Government and those
of South and Central America re-
garding defense facilities. Specifi-
cally, he mentioned the existence of
airports in the southern part of the
hemisphere which might be avail
able for defense purposes. He de-
MED, however, that these discussions
can properly be considered formal
negotiations-describing them rather
as an exchange of information.
Hints New Aid for Canada.
Indirectly, Mr.. Roosevelt indicated
his approval of possible agreement
by which Canadian aircraft pilots
might be trained in Southern United
States during the winter months. In
doing so, he emphasized that discus
sions In this direction have. CEN
tered around possible use of private
air schools here and that the train
ing probably would be for men who
had not yet enrolled in the Canadian
air forces.
In other words, he put the whole
venture on the same basis as that
of Canadian civilian coming to an
American college for an academic
education.
Questioned about criticism that
this Government is not giving all
aid short of war to Great Britain.
Mr. Roosevelt suggested that Will
liam S. Knudsen, production chief
of the Defense Commission, be
queried on the matter. For himself,
the President said he believed pro-
duction was moving along well and
that everything is being speeded as
much as possible.
AS general proposition, he added
that he does not believe 1t to be
true that British aid is falling short.
In further discussion of produc-
ton problems, the Chief Executive
said that efforts are being made to
standardize all types of fighting ma
, teriel. Secretary of Navy Knox
announced earlier this week that
such Standardization is being at
tempted in the aircraft field, and
efforts are being made to make
British and American orders con-
form.
Mr.. Roosevelt described as just
newspaper stories about which he
had no personal knowledge several
reports which were cited to him.
Among these was an interview
with the Japanese Foreign Minister
in which it was asserted that Japan
would declare war if the United
States persists in defending the
status quo in the Pacific or if it
actually enters the European war.
Other news stories placed by him
in this category were those predict
ing resignation of Secretary of State
Hull after January l and resignation
of Joseph P. Kennedy, Ambassador
IN Great britain