The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1933-05-17
Speaking for a Nation

Speaking for a Nation
Rarely has any national leader SO
clearly expressed the ideas Of his own
people on an important matter as did
President Roosevelt in his message to
the rulers of 81 nations Tuesday.
The statement proved the kinship
of the chief executive with the man
in the street and on the farm. It was
couched in language such as any
other American might have used, dis
daining the usual formalities of diplo-
macy and the kind of words which
are used to conceal thought.
Every American will hope that the
message will be received in the spirit
which actuated the president to send
it; a spirit OF fairness, good will and
a desire for real advancement of the
cause Of peace and stability.
People whose only ideas are based
on precedent will regard this action
OF the president with some alarm, but
there is no need for that. It cannot
possibly do us or anyone else harm
and 1t may do a great deal of good.
In effect it demands that all Of the
cards be laid face up on the table and
that any nation which seeks to block
the cause Of peace and prosperity take
the blame for so doing. It expresses
clearly Americas desire to assist In
world reconstruction and In preserva-
ton of the peace. -...e..... .... |
OF all national leaders President
Roosevelt is the only one who could
safely take this action. He speaks
for the only country in the world
which approaches present interna-
tional council tables with an advant-
age over the others and which Is free
from the fears, jealousies and ami
mosities which have made efforts
toward peace q mockery.
We, of all peoples, have no fear of
swift invasion in the event OF trouble.
We alone have borders without forth
fications and which need none.
On the north we have Canada, q
friendly nation with whom war is all
but inconceivable. On the south there
Is Mexico which In no event could
offer major threat. East and west
we have wide oceans which would be
more effective in repelling invasion
than a thousand forts.
Internally we are the only country
in the world which could be wholly
self-supporting. With the exception
Of few edible products everything
we now use, including practically all
Of our luxuries, could be produced
within our own borders. From the
economic and military standpoints we
stand in advantageous position to deal
with other nations
But we realize, also, that it would
be infinitely better to get along with
our neighbors than to fight with
them. The memories of the World
War are still with us. We see the
futility of going on as the world has
been going, giving up blood and treas
ure to lay ghosts which constantly
reappear to trouble nations. We think
it would be best to dispel these ghosts
intelligently by recognizing them for
what they are, the products of fear,
hate and greed.
It is new form OF diplomacy which
we have witnessed and common sense
dictates the observation that it may
work no better than other attempts
which have gone before it. But we
can console ourselves with the thought
that failure in such efforts has been
the lot Of the world since history
began.
Win or lose We have got it off our
chest. The president spoke for us ALL