THE CHINA MAIL, NOVEMBER 8, 1939
STIRRING ADDRESS BY LORD HALIFAX: MEETING CHALLENGE OF BRUTE FORCE
ROOSEVELT ON EVASION BY SHIPPING
New York, To-day. President Roosevelt dis- closed at his daily press conference yesterday that he had delayed the trans- fer of United States Lines' ships to Panamanian re- gistry, but emphasised his belief that the United States was in no danger of being involved in war.
He said that if there was that dan- ger the Maritime Commission would probably refuse to allow the transfer.
He said neutrality did not enter into the matter, since any American had a perfect right to sell property to a neutral nation and to transfer his title therein to neutrals.
AMERICA'S POSITION
If the transfer was effected, Ameri- cans could not serve as officers and seamen, and if the ship was sunk after transfer there could not be an inter- national episode on account of the crew or cargo.
One of the questions which caused delay in the transfer, said the Presi- dent, arose from the clause in the Merchant Marine Law the purpose of which was to prevent the sale of American merchantmen if they were considered important for national de- fence.-Reuter.
D
London, To-day.
"WE ARE FIGHTING in defence of freedom; we are fighting for peace; we are meeting the challenge to our own security and that of others; we are defending the rights of all nations to live with their own lives.”
This answer to the question as to what was the real
CITY OF FLINT INCIDENT
Oslo, To-day.
The commander of the German prize crew on board the City of Flint stopped at Haugesund on Instructions from the German lin- er Schwaben, it is understood.
The Schwaben passed close to the City of Flint and hailed it. these same reports state.—Reu-
ter.
purpose of the present struggle was given by the SEIZURES OF
Foreign Secretary, Lord Halifax, in his broad- cast last night.
PETROL
London, To-day. The latest in the shortage
in.
"We are fighting against the substitution of brute force for law as an arbiter between nations, against the violation of the sanctity of treaties petrol in Germany is seen in orders and disregard for the pledged word.
cultivate the arts of peace until Ger- many is brought to realise that re- current acts of aggression will not be tolerated.
the is
"We have learned that there can: "But when the challenge in be no opportunity for
sharpened, as it is to-day in Europe to sphere of international relations
Ger- many by the denial to men and wo- men of elementary human
rights, that challenge is at once extended to something instinctive and
profound in the universal conscience of man- kind.
"It must accordingly be our resolve not only to protect the future from a repetition of the same injuries that German aggression has inflicted on. Europe in the last few years but also, so far as we can, to repair the
damage successively wrought by neigh-
Germany upon her weaker bours.
CRUEL PERSECUTION
the the of
RULE OF LAW
announced yesterday that as many cars as possible must be converted to use coal gas. These orders will first. affect heavy lorries, traction engines and tractors.
What the orders do not state is that the Allies, since the war began,
scized 12,000,000 have
gallons of petrol destined for Nazi Germany. Reuter.
www.ing
of our race
from every
quarter of the world -
peoples owning the same loyalty to the Crown our "We therefore are fighting to main-French and Polish allies tain the rule of law and the quality all united in the will and under pro-
we are. of mercy in dealings between man vidence we have the power to prove and man and in the great society of also the supreme folly with which civilised States."
the German Government has moved“ to its own destruction."
Speaking of the time when we shall have gained the victory, Lord! Halifax said: "We shall use all our influence when the time comes in the- building of a new world in which the nations will not permit an insane armed rivalry to deny their hopes of a fuller life and future confidence will not be for ever overborne by the- grim foreboding of disaster.
Lord Halifax said they foresaw. that the time might well come when they would have to fight "for those saving graces of our earthly commonwealth.”
"And that purpose must be stronger as it is reinforced by knowledge of cruel persecution causes and persons at the hands of Lord Halifax recalled his Chatham ruthless men in Germany.
House speech and said that his hope "The British are particularly re-then that war might be honourably luctant to interfere with other peo- averted was disappointed. ple's business, provided always that other people do not seek to interfere in theirs.
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EVIL THINGS
V
Faced with evil things there are only two courses open.
"You must either defy or you must acquiesce. And acquiescence is dishonour.
"I can feel no doubt in my own conscience that only with supreme dishonour could we in fact have averted war. "Now the supreme dishonour as well as the supreme folly lie with aggression.
"The supreme dishonour of the German Government is laid open to the world."
Lord Halifax asked whether they could feel secure that through vic- tory in this conflict of physical force they could achieve that purpose.
NO VINDICTIVE PEACE
The Prime Minister had stated that they sought no vindictive peace.
"The new world that we seek will enlist the co-operation of all peoples on a basis of human equality, self- respect and mutual tolerance.
"We, not less than others, have ourselves to learn from part fallures and disappointment. "When this war is over we shall have to see to it that wisdom and goodwill combine for the immense task that awaits us."
BRAVE NEW WORLD
"The new world we seek will enlist the co-operation of all peo.. ples on a basis of human equality,- self-respect and mutual tolerance. "We shall have to think out again. many things that lie at the root of international contacts social, poli- tical and económic and find a' means of reconciling the necessity of change in constantly changing world with security against disturb- · ance of the general peace through- resort to violence.
..
"To this order that we shall rook to create all nations will have their contribution to make and a great
responsibility, both in thought and action, will rest upon our people.
NO CLEAR PICTURE "We shall have no idea of what the shape of the post-war world will.. be. We do not know the circuns- tances in which hostilitles will end or the materials. which will lie to our hands in building the edifice of peace.
"There are some who believe. the new order can only come through a surrender in some measure by the nations of their sovereign rights in: order to clear the way for some more - organic union.
LESSONS OF THE PAST "But if it is thus hoped to create
Concluding, Lord Halifax stressed a more truly international system. the need for unity.
1
WORK WORTHILY
"It is our duty here, just as much as it is the duty of the men on active and service, to stand united, firm unshakable in mind and heart.
"On this will certainly depend our power to meet the challenge of the present struggle, and when that is over, to answer the call to work worthily for the future of mankind."
Reuter.
UNITED IN WILL
London, To-day. Lord Halifax said: "We and those lighting-side-by-side with us men'
out of independent states we must learn the lessons of the past.
"No paper plan will endure that does not freely spring from the will of the people, who alone can give it life. Nor will it avail for one people alone to see a vision that has no message for their neighbours.
"International, like "national in-- stitutions, must have deep roots and if they are to grow must have, like : everything else, soil that suits them.
"There is a cynical saying that it is. often the task of the" wise to re- - pair the harm done by the good. When this war is over, we shall have to see to it that wisdom and 'goodwill combine for the immense tnak, that : will await us,” British Wireless.