Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-10-03
Americas Hope.

IL
In the most explicit terms possible
President Roosevelt yesterday, at San
Diego, expressed the intention OF this
country to keep aloof from any foreign
conflict. He said: "As President of the
United States say to you most earnestly
once more that the people of America
and the Government Of those people
intend to remain at peace with all the
world"
The United States has no "entangle-
ment" that at this juncture of affairs
overseas involves it in any obligation to
participate in a war. 1t is not a member
of the League of Nations, is not even an
adherent of the World Court. 1t cannot
be obligated by sanctions" to engage
in economic penalties upon a nation
that violates the principles of interna-
tional conduct laid down by the League.
The President unquestionably speaks
for virtually the entire Nation when he
declares for absolute neutrality and for
abstention from any manner or degree
of participation in a foreign conflict.
Sentimental partisanship as to the imme-
diately prospective contention there is,
undeniably, in this country. But that
does not reach the point of advocacy of
engagement in the contest, to any extent,
by more than a very small minority.
In case the war that now seems to
have started with Italy's invasion is
confined to the immediate antagon-
lists, Italy and Ethiopia, within the
African arena beyond which, in such
circumstances, it cannot conceivably
spread, there is little or no chance
of any complication arising to in
yolve the interests of this country. AS
far as those two antagonists are con-
cerned American neutrality is positively
assured. That was the case twenty -one
years ago when war was declared between
Austria and Serbia. 1t seemed to be the
case even when Germany, Russia, France,
Belgium, England, later Italy and
eventually other countries overseas
joined in the melee. 1t ceased to be
the case when with virtually all of the
Old World enlisted American interests
were assailed, grievous injuries were in
flicted and participation by the United
States became inevitable.
The assurance of strict neutrality and
firm determination Ito remain at peace
with all the world" can 60 no further
than the immediate and prospective con-
ditions permit. A pledge of neutrality
given now does not cover every possible
ity of development. If the flames now
cracking in Africa spread to Europe q
situation will arise in which such q
pledge could not be positively given.
Just so it was in the Summer of 1914,
though there was little thought then
that the war would spread so rapidly
and so far. American interests are more
than likely to be exposed to injury If
the conflict spreads and the war is
waged upon the seas.
The prayer of the American people to-
day is that there will be no such de-
velopment, that the strife will be con-
fined to Africa, that there will be no
alignment of partisans such as has been
indicated in the speculations arising
from the negotiations for q pacific adj
justment. They hope that reason and
the most enlightened self-interest of the
European powers will at least effect the
restriction of the war to the arena of
provocation. This hope is inspired not
altogether by fear of the possible en-
broilment of America. 1t arises quite
as definitely from the dread of the
CHASTITY spectacle of a general European
war, even though that might not menace
America with involvement.
Truly, indeed, the people of America
and the Government of those people
intend to remain at peace with all the
world" They hope that that intention
will be maintained even though the
sparks now flying in Africa spread q
general conflagration in Europe.