The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-12-06
u. S, SHOWING
HATE FOR WAR,
TEXAN CLAIMS
People Overwhelming for
Peace, Says Maverick
in Letter.
BY ROBERT w. HORTON
Times Special Writer

Tines Special Writer
WASHINGTON, Dec. 6. - The
"grsssroots" are demanding that
America steer clear of war. accord
ing to Rep. Maury Maverick ID.
Tex.
Il never saw in all my life. such
a real, honest, throbbing demonstra-
ton of hate against war. and that's
no bunk Rep. Maverick said in a
letter received by friend here to-
day. He was referring TO a Denver
reunion Of his World War regiment,
at which he spoke.
The Texas congressman was q
leader in the House fight last ses-
sion for comprehensive and man.
datory neutrality law. He is prepar-
ing to renew his fight in January.
Describing the parade of his Old
outfit at Denver, Maverick wrote
The V. F. w. had float indi-
eating graves and dead men in the
most horrible scene l ever saw. If
that had happened five years ago
and had been engineered by 'pac-
fist the veterans would probably
have wrecked the thing.
ImpassiOned Pacifists
"On the same day, throughout the
schools of Denver, commanders Of
the American Legion made i'm
passioned speeches against war"
During the fall. Maverick has
travelled throughout the West, car
rying to the people his fight for a
broad neutrality program. He said
he v IS amazed by the response.
The American people he wrote,
"are absolutely and Overwhelmingly
for neutrality. There is not any
question about that whatsoever.
With a few negligible exceptions, all
members of Congress are consci-
entiously for it. ! found this
out by talking to most of the Con-
gressmen and by a heavy CORE
spondence.
L also travelled through most of
the Southern states and found the
situation to be the same. It was
also true in New Mexico and it is
true all over Texas.
Il live in the greatest military
district on earth We have here
the largest barracks. and the great
est training fields in the world In
addition to this we have the aero
mechanical department Duncan
Field; Kelly Field. a senior training
unit; Randolph Field, the West
Point of the Air. Brooks Field, a
tactical unit, and other air units.
Lose Support
When I made my original an
nouncement concerning neutrality,
and made my talk against generals
and admirals. some of my advisers
told me / was going too strong for
military district, that 1 would lose
support, and so on.
However. / was promptly sur
prised by the attitude of the people
of my district. They overwhelm-
ingly approve of that action, and
this, the greatest military district
in the world, is overwhelmingly in
favor OF neutrality and overwhelm-
ingly opposed to war.
Il believe that this city (San An
tonio) would be willing to lose its
entire military personnel and all its
military property rather than go
through any such pastime as war.
Moreover. having been soldier,
l have talked to a great many Of
ficers, both loW-ranking and high
ranking, and they haven't got what
the Europeans had before the war.
or what we kids had when we went
to war that is the military spirit. !"
Maverick sees hard fight ahead
in Congress over broadening the
neutrality act.
No Cooperation Given
II suspect he wrote, that the
Administration and the State De-
partment will give Congress no CO.
operation in attempting to put
over absolute neutrality. or neu-
trality in any form. The State De-
partment played trick on us last
year. If you will take up the Neu-
trality Law as passed. you will note
that it is mandatory as to the two
original belligerents. but the Presi-
dent may increase it from then on
In other words, it is in such
shape that it is mandatory as far
as Italy and Ethiopia are con-
cerned, but when England gets into
1t, if she does, he may or may rot
do it.
Il think that the State Depart
ment and the administration will
not only not cooperate, but that
they will work actively against
neutrality legislation
Our State Department has the
attitude Of European foreign of
flee, Of having a sort of monopoly
on deciding what we shall do with
foreign nations. Congress over
whelmingly diSapproved of that"