The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1939-05-25
OUR FOREIGN POLICY

OUR political institutions are controlled by dem
" ocratic ideals and have grown out of a deep
rooted desire for freedom. independence from
foreign control and the principle of representation
made possible the development of political democ-
racy without our boundaries. AS and rela-
lively unimpOrtant nation we were not concerned
with the struggle for territorial expansion and
aggrandizement that harred the Old World. OF
world powers, asked only to be let alone to de-
velop in peace and freedom. In our own affairs
we have found that political democracy must go
hand in hand with economic democracy. Doubtless
this is general principle.
In our Federal government it has seemed wise
to establish and maintain balance of power be-
tween the Executive and Congress. We have tried
to maintain the same balance in the field of foreign
policy with Congress deciding policies, and the
President dealing with specific situations in ac-
cord with policies outlined. The Neutrality Act
of 1897 is based on this principle and to change
it at the present time is to create apprehension
that we are changing our foreign policy. Any
change may add to war fears. American labor
wants peace-not war. We therefore ask that the
present Neutrality Act be continued in effect.
In the present difficult international situation,
strong pressure has been behind proposal to in
crease the Presidents authority and responsibility
under the Neutrality Act The purpose is to make
possible quick and efficient action in crisis. To fol-
low this is to adopt the procedure of foreign
countries and to abandon the safeguards of our
traditional democracy without assuring peace in
the world
FOR centuries Ine 1aJlOnS Oh Europe nave re-
lied upon force in their relations with other coun-
tries. Power politics still dominate this field. Some
countries have their spheres of influence defined
and established others are less fortunate or more
recently set to the task of developing power. For
eign influence rests on territories and armaments.
If the United States is asked to participate in
European matters, we must come into the zone of
power politics after policies have been determined,
commitments have been made and crisis reached.
Our interference would mean nothing for peace.
The aggresSor nation of one generation defends
the status quo of the next
The welfare of the United States is tied up
with the progress of democracy in living and we
have found that political democracy is inseparabe
from economic democracy. Any basis for cooper
alton between the United States and other govern
ments for world peace must be in accord with these
basic principles so that there might be mutual un-
derstandng and Joint action for industrial and po-
litical democracy for all nations.
We are not nsensitive to the struggle going
on in the world, but amending Neutrality Act
in such crisis would not express our desire for
world peace but would be interpreted as partisan
action. American Labor is profoundly concerned
for peace and for developing the practices and
agencies for maintaining peace between nations.
In the light Of World War experience hold that
war settles nothing and that future generations
should not be asked to serve In the trenches. The
Neutrality Act Of 1897 is a defense against en-
tanglements in the disputes of other countries.