Evening star., 1939-09-01
Roosevelt
Continued From First Page)


ponents.
They had already concerted in
detail with certain other govern
ments the rules that in such an
event they would impose upon them
selves and make publicly known"
President Gravely Serious.
The President was gravely serious
as he met newsmen today after
spending most of his night receiving
telephone and radio communica-
tions from abroad. Present at the
regular press conference also was
Secretary of State Hull, who like
wise participated in the vigil of the
night and who had just brought to
the Chief Executive thick file Of
diplomatic dispatches from key
points throughout the world.
The Presidents son and daughter
in-law, John and Anne Roosevelt,
also were present.
Soon afr the newsmen assembled
around the Presidents desk, the
Chief Executive declared he did not
believe that, at this particular time,
which he said was a very critical
time in the worlds history, he had
anything particularly to state except
to ask for the cooperation of the
press throughout the country in
sticking closely as possible to facts
He said he thought that would be
best for the country and for civiliza-
ton.
Would Check All Rumors.
The President expressed hope
that there would not be any force
given to unsubstantiated rumors
without checking them. 1t was a
simple matter, he added, to check
either with the White House or
State Department.
Secretary Hull had called him
earlier, he continued, and declared
there had been a report out that
the Government had ordered all
American merchant ships to return
to American ports. That kind Of
thing, the Chief Executive declared,
is confusing to the public mind.
He said he hoped the public would
stick to facts and that he believed
it would. He believed rather strong
ly, he asserted, in the common sense
of American opinion-mass opinion.
Emphasizing that developments
of today and tomorrow would have
important bearing on possible in
vocation of the neutrality law or the
calling of a special session Of Con-
gress to consider our wartime pol
icy, Mr.. Roosevelt was asked if it
was definite that a special session
would be called at all.
He pointed out that there is a
period from September ! to January
in which such action could occur.
Invocation Of the Neutrality Act
in its present form would prohibit
the sale of arms to any belligerent
and ban America travel on the ships
of belligerents.
Few Appointments Scheduled.
AS he subordinated every other
matter to maintaing his close sur
veillance of world developments, Mr..
Roosevelt scheduled only few ap-
pointments prior to a cabinet meet
ing at o'clock.
Secretary of War Woodring, Act
ing Secretary of the Navy Edison
and other officials called at the
White House shortly before noon
and went into conference with the
President.
After being closeted with the
President for an hour, they stated
they had discussed the problem of
national defense.
Secretary Woodring said they had
"a complete discussion on national
defense" Others present were AS
! sistant Secretary of War johnson,
Gen.. George c. Marshall, Army
chief of staff, and Admiral Harold
Stark, chief Of naval operations.
Confers With Bullitt.
In constant telephone and
radio communication with Europe
throughout the night, the President
received his report on German ag-
gression against Poland in a tele-
phone call at 2:50 am, from AM
bassador Bullitt in Paris. The lat
ter in close touch with Ambassador
Biddle in Warsaw, reported that
Nazi troops had entered Poland and
that four cities, including Warsaw
had been bombed.
Mr.. Roosevelt Immediately called
Secretary Hull, who hastened to his
ofnce and before 1 am. had talked
twice with Mr.. Bullitt by telephone
Mr.. Hull also received . cable
from Alexander Kirk, American
Charge d'A6aires In Berlin, telling