WASHINGTON, Sept. 28, 1938 (UP) - Expressions of new hope of peaceful settlement of the German-Czechoslovakian dispute coincided today with revelation that President Roosevelt's effort to prevent war had extended almost world-wide.
Confronted with Rome reports that a Roosevelt message had been delivered to Prime Minister Mussolini, the White House acknowledged that one had been sent. It was a personal communication and the White House declined to publish the text.
Secretary Stephen T. Early said:
"It was sent in the interest of world peace."
He refused to say whether a similar communication had been addressed to Tokyo. But word already had come from Japan that Ambassador Grew had asked the Japanese foreign minister to bring pressure for peaceful settlement of Europe's war.
Great hope and encouragement succeeded gloom and foreboding in Washington today as tickers flashed word to the White House the State Department and all around the town that Chancellor Adolf Hitler had consented to a four-power conference on the Sudeten dispute.
The conference plan was announced after dispatch of a second appeal by President Roosevelt to Hitler, challenging the chancellor's contention that the choice of peace or war lay with Czechoslovakia. He suggested to Hitler an immediate conference of directly interested powers.
To Hitler's statement that the war choice lies with his small neighbor, Mr. Roosevelt replied that negotiations still stand open, and:
"They can be continued if you will give the word."
This appeal was sent only to Hitler. Mr. Roosevelt's first message of Monday was addressed directly and personally to Hitler and President Eduard Benes of Czechoslovakia, and advisory copies were sent through regular diplomatic channels to the prime ministers of Great Britain and France.
The President acted after a day of abrupt developments. Two American naval vessels steamed eastward over the Atlantic for British ports. The State Department advised Americans to avoid Europe unless they had essential business there.
Passengers carrying limitations on American commercial vessels were lifted by the Commerce Department to facilitate homeward movement of citizens.
There were spontaneous statements of approval from South America of Mr. Roosevelt's peace efforts - "dividends on the New Deal good neighbor policy."
From an Administration spokesman came authoritative word that no part of Mr. Roosevelt's message should be construed as an intimation that the United States would be drawn into any negotiations, past, present or future. Well informed persons said this cable was Mr. Roosevelt's final move, his last word. It reiterated that the United States has "no political involvements."
