The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1936-12-01

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He believes that European ag-
gression in the great undeveloped
areas Of South America is not q
remote possibility - not much
more remote than it was in
Ethiopia. And he is determined
to build up a solid American
FRONT against 1t.
One Of the most revealing con-
versations he ever had on this
subject was with group OF
about twenty representatives Of
church and peace societies. They
were being entertained at tea in
q meeting arranged by Stanley
High, organizer Of the Good
Neighbor League"
The conference was friendly, at
times featured by bantering by
play, but the peace representa-
tives were nevertheless anxious to
put the President and his big
navy ideas definitely on the spot.
One of them asked: why Is it
Mr.. President, in view OF the
State Departments neutrality,
your own plans for Pan-Ameri-
can peace conference, and your
general good neighbor policy, that
you have an official naval policy
OF protecting American shipping
and trade in any part OF the
world?"
"Oh, You don't want to pay
any attention to any Of these
Admirals' statements you see
In the papers," the President
replied with q grin.
Quoted Text
But I don't refer to newspa-
per statements; refer to the
official naval policy Of the United
States. 1t appears to be directly
contrary to your policy Of neu-
trality."
"Oh, you've been reading
something in the Army and
Navy Journal" the President
shot back. THAT doesn't rep
resent the policy Of the United
States"
mo, I'm not referring to any
thing in the Army and Navy
Journal" And at this point the
peace delegate - a young lady
got I'D and walked around TO
where Mr.. Roosevelt was seated
on a couch and sat down. beside
him.
Here" she said. "is the report
for 1895 from the secretary Of
the navy to the President. 1t
says that the naval policy Of the
United States shall be to protect
American trade and shipping in
any part Of the world. That GER
tainly Is contrary to your an
nounced policy"
The President picked up the
report, read 1t, exclaimed, II
never saw Il before" and
and slammed Il ON the table.
"No one reads these reports"
he said, land after all, IL
doesn't make much difference
what the Admirals say"
Don't you believe 1t doesn't,
Mr.. President" replied the peace
delegate. 1--WE Just been testify.
ing before the senate appropri-
atoms committee, and this quo
tation is what the admirals show
the committee in order to get the
money they want from the tax
payers of the United States. This
Is what they say your policy Is"
Uniform Policy
At this point another delegate
interrupted: Don't you think.
Mr.. President. that there ought
to be O uniform policy on these
matters? Here the State DEPART
ment delineates o very fine policy
Of neutrality and you publicly
endorse IL; then the army and
navy come along with an opposite
policy and completely nullify 1t
Couldn't you coordinate these
things2"
THAT'S . very interesting
idea" the President replied.
haIf-amused. ''But n did
that" he added. everyone
veadld call me . dictator"
not at ALL" shot back one Of
the delegates. again q young lady.
you'd not be trying TO dictate
10 Congress, but merely 10 your
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