Evening star., 1941-01-07
By the Associated Press.

VirglniO Gayda, often the editorial
mirror of high Fascist opinion, said
today President RooSevelt's message
to Congress renewed 'the outWorn,
improved theme" of an axis menace
to America while assuring Americans
of 1.-The material impossibility" of
an axis attack.
so it will rest as coming from
the mouth of Roosevelt the warrior
himself" Gayda said, that Amer
leans are naturally preserved from
the war coming from Europe and,
therefore, the war policy of the
President is explained by other un-
confessed reasons"
The Fascist editor said the PreSi-
dents fifth column fears" were
"out of proportion" to his "warlike
agitation" and declared the United
States faced the dilemma of whether
Britain will win and not pay or
lose and not be able to pay.
Called theological War.
Italian political circles described
the Presidents message as "a de-
clared will to an theological war in
the field of internal politics and a
patent reticence on the aims OF the
fight for maintenance of plutocratlc
and selfish imperialisms."
The Fascist government itself, like
that of its German partner, re-
Trained from comment on Mr..
Roosevelts personally presented
recommendations for all-out aid TO
embattled democracies against the
dictators.
Atmospheric conditions interfered
with radio reception in Berlin and
a Nazi foreign Office spokesman said
for that reason no authorized re-
action was obtainable today. AS
on previous occasions, it was under
stood Adolf Hitler wanted to study
the Presidents words before giving
a tipof to his press on what to say.
Some Take Offense.
Listening among Germans who
especially observe political events,
the first impression was that some
of these quarters regard the Presi-
dents message as mo different in
general line of thought and atti-
tude from his recent flreside talk"
Another impression is that some
quarters took especial offense at
Mr.. RooSevelt's insistence that hu-
manity demands aid for England.
Against this these quarters cited an
American reserved attitude toward
shipments of good to occupied areas,
branding this as inhumane.
One utterance heard unoficially
was that the Presidents message,
in its final effect, was virtually
tantamount to a theoretical dec
laration of war. 1t did not appear,
however, as. though official Ger
many would take it as such.
So far as could be learned at pres
ent, it seemed that German reac-
ton would be communicated first
in the form of intimations to the
foreign press and instructions to the
German press. The possibility was
envisaged, however, of other &C
ton besides press arguments.
Stand Seen Reiterated.
The Italian political reaction, as
outlined in a statement handed
foreign correspondents, said Mr..
Roosevelt's message as firm, bel
licose affirmation" of what he al
ready has said regarding "his in
tention to give all United States aid
possible" to the dem0cracies.
The Rome newspaper II Popolo
di Roma accused Mr.. Roosevelt of
leading his country we'll beyond
non n-belligerency." His message fit
ted in exactly with his previous
speeches, the newspaper said, and
contained "a theoretical hostility
toward the totalitarian states and
proposals to lend England all ma
terial aid to prolong resistance"
II Popolo then said, "One may
wonder what is keeping President
Roosevelt from declaring war on
the axis powers"
ut is easy to reply" it went on,
accusing Mr.. Roosevelt of "ambig-
uous hypocratical tactics aimed at
placing the American people-visibly
adverse to intervention-under
compromising conditions"
Whatever American ships cross
ing the ocean in the service of Eng
land incurred the legitimate sane
tions from axis arms" it said, MIR.
Roosevelt would succeed in present.
| ing such misfortune to his credulous
people as unprovoked aggression.
Sublime hypothesis"
japanese Newspaper Comment.
The Japan Times, which has close
connection with the Toxic Foreign
Office, said his counsel against a
dictator peace" could be interpreted
as refusal to recognize any agree
ments between other powers which
do not conform to American policy"
The Japanese Language press carried
the speech without editorial COM
ment.
Official British quarters said the
message was IAN inspiration to the
people and leaders of this country
to pursue their struggle fully con-
fident that no shortage of war ma
terial will delay or hamper efforts
to secure victory"
The official Australian radio said
"Mr. Roosevelt's address has de-
lighted Australia; it is felt that the
President hit every major nail on
the head"
| prime Minister w T. McKenzie