Evening star., 1939-07-15
Hull Neutrality Message
Need for Early Action by Congress
Stressed as Aid to Peace

JCCO OIlly W cllcCtlfc UlUCkAQc dI1O
to the right Of belligerents to treat
any such commodities as contra
band. The assertion frequently
made that this country has ever
engaged or may become engaged In
serious controversy solely over the
fact that its nationals have sold
arms to belligerents is misleading
and unsupportable. All available
evidence is directly to the contrary
Every informed person knows that
arms. as absolute contraband, are
subject to seizure by a belligerent
and that neither the neutral shipper
nor his government has the slightest
ground for complaint. There is,
therefore, no reason to suppose that
the sale Of arms may lead to serious
controversy between a neutral and
a belligerent. Furthermore, under
the proposals that have been made
American nationals would be d.
vested of all right, title and interest
in these and other commodities be-
lore they leave our shores and
American citizens and ships would
be kept out of danger zones. AS
regards possible complications which
might arise as a result of the ex-
tension of credits to belligerents or
of extraordinary profits accruing to
any group of producers in this coun-
try, it is wholly within the power
OF Congress at all times to safe
guard the national interest in this
respect.
Controversies which would in
volve the United States are far more
likely to arise from the entrance
OF American ships or American
citizens in the danger zones or
through the sinking on the high
seas of American vessels carrying
commodities other than those COW
cred by the arms embargo. In the
recommendations formulated by
the Executive as a substitute for
the present legislation it was espe-
cially urged that provisions be
adopted which would exclude
American nationals and American
ships from zones where real dan
ger to their safety might exist
and which would divest goods OF
American ownership, thereby min
imizing to the fullest extent the
danger of American involvement
Works Against Peaceful Nations.
Those Of us who support the
recommendations formulated for
the elimination of the embargo
are convinced that the arms en-
barge plays into the hands of those
nations which have taken the lead
in building up their fighting power.
1t works directly against the in
terests Of the peace-loving nations,
especially those which do not pos
sess their own munitions plants. 1t
means that if any country is dis
posed toward conquest, and devotes
its energy and resources to estab-
lish itself as a superior fighting
power, that country may be more
tempted to try the fortunes of war
if it knows that its less well pre-
pared opponents would be shut of
from those supplies which, under
every rule of international law
they should be able to buy in all
neutral countries, including the
United States.
1t means also that some of those
countries which have only limited
facilities for the production of arms,
ammunition and implements Of war
are put in a position of increased
dependence. During peacetime they
would feel the compulsion of shap-
ing their political as well as their
economic policy to suit the military
strength Of others, and during war
time their powers Of defense would
be limited.
For these reasons those who are
supporting the recommendations for
the amendment Of existing legisla-
ton recognize definitely that the
present embargo encourages a gen.
eral state Of war both in Europe and
Asia. Since the present embargo
has this effect its results are directly
prejudicial to the highest interests
and to the peace and to the security
Of the United States.
In the present grave conditions of
international anarchy and Of danger
to peace, in more than one part of
the world, I profoundly believe that
the first great step toward safe
guarding this Nation from being
drawn into war is to use whatever
influence it can, compatible with the
traditional policy Of our country OF
non-involvement, so as to make less
likely the outbreak of a major war
This is duty placed upon our Gov
ernment which some may fail tc
perceive or choose to reject. But il
must be clear to every one of us that
the outbreak of a general war in
creases the dangers confronting the
United States. This fact cannot be
ignored.
Consistent with U. S. Policy.
would emphasize that the course
proposed through the substitute leg.
lSlatlon recommended by the Ex.
ecutive is consistent with the rule.
OF international law and with thu
policy of our own country over 6
period Of $50 years. The basis fol
the recommendations made is tn,
firm intention Of keeping this coun.
try from being drawn into war. I.
there existed any desire to assist o.
to injure particular foreign countrie.
this Government would not hav,
been endeavoring persistently, with.
in the limitations of our traditiona
policy, over period of many year
to do its utmost to avoid the out
break of a general war. earnestl,
hope that the Congress will lend tn,
fullest measure of its cooperation IL
the endeavor to avoid war in tn,
first place and to place this countr,
in a position of the greatest securit1
possible, should war break out. Ii
the tragic event that peace effort
fail and that major war occurs
there will be general agreemen
within the United States that ever,
effort must be exerted to keep thi
country from being drawn therein.
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