Possible Replies To Peace Proposal Brings Speculation London, Apr. 18.
No reason has hitherto been vouchsafed for Herr Hitler's delay in replying to President Roosevelt's proposals until the Reichstag meeting, which could, constitutionally, be called in a shorter period. Newspaper observers in Great Britain and France, however, regard the interim as guaranteeing a lull after o period of tension, There is only the vaguest speculation about the nature of Herr Hitler's response.
"The Times" says it would be another delusion to imagine that the Axis Powers have less to lose from war than the rest, or that they are less likely to be overtaken by defeat and collapse. The British Government, like the American Administration, it continues, is more than willing to welcome negotiations to re-establish genuine peace. If Herr Hitler has constructive counter-proposals, the paper declares, the British people will await and test them in that spirit.
The peace front has a plain recognition of necessities behind it, says "The Times," and a determination which is deep founded. Because its purpose is neither self-regarding nor aggressive, it can well become the instrument of positive peace when all its members have concrete proof of a new security in which all can put their confidence. Until that arrives, concludes "The Times," it will not relax a jot of its resolution or vigilance.—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.