Evening star., 1939-09-15
Text of Senator Boruhs Address

The text of the address on "Neu-
trality" made last night by Senator
Borah, ranking minority member of
the Senate Foreign Relations Com
mittee, over National Broadcasting
Co. network, follows:
Ladies and gentlemen: Europe is
again in the midst of war. The
President of the United States has
issued proclamations' to the effect
that in this war this Nation shall
stand neutral. But we all realize
that laws and statutes and procla-
nations are not, and will not, be
sufficient to maintain successfully
a policy of neutrality. Only the
united will of the people can ac-
complish this difficult task 1t is
highly proper, therefore, that we
openly and frankly discuss all
phases of this question which bears,
and will bear, so heavily upon the
great body of the people. 4 want
to associate myself tonight with all
who believe we can and ought to
remain neutral. I want to resolve
with you that we will in good faith
put forth our best thoughts and our
best efforts to accomplish that great
aim.
If we can succeed as a people,
especially in the midst of conditions
such as they now are, in establish
ing here upon this western conti-
nent a great neutral power, power
standing not for force, not for cru
city and injustice, but for peace, for
fair dealing among nations, for rea-
son and justice, we will not only
have added honor to our own Nar-
ton, happiness to our own people,
but We will have rendered to all ma
tions and all peoples service far
greater than it will ever be possible
for us to render by joining any ma
ton, or nations, in carrying on war.
Force is gradually undermining and
destroying freedom everywhere. If
we are not going to wholly surren-
der to a world governed by force,
then we must establish somewhere
great power which speaks for and
represents in act and deed the
things which make for reason and
justice. Whatever may be the dis
couragements and however great
may be the obstacles thrown in our
way, let us make the effort, let us
unite behind a policy which. If car
ried through in good faith upon the
part of the Government and with
effectiveness upon the part Of the
will oy,1yy chn1tnr
homes from mass murder, our peo-
pie from poverty and premature
graves, but will also go far toward
guaranteeing anew the blessing of
free institutions It is an effort
worthy of a great and free people
"Spineless Doctrine"
We are met on the threshold of
all debate, of all consideration of
this subject of neutrality with the
statement often delivered and with
an air of finality that we cannot
be neutral. that Europe is now so
near to the United States, owing to
modern inventions and the min
Cling of business affairs, that neu-
trality is impracticable, if not i'm
possible. This seems to me a spine
less doctrine. 1t is not the doctrine
inherited from our forbears If
true, we would be the most Inflated
Nation on the earth instead of be-
ing. as we had long supposed, the
most favorably circumstanced of
any, or all, nations.
How near was Europe, how
smotheringly close, was the Euro
pean system when Washington an
nounced his policy of neutrality and
published it to an astonished and
enraged Europe? He thought neu-
trality both wise and practicable,
in fact, he believed that such a pol
icy was indispensable to free
America. Yes, how close was Eu-
rope to the United States at that
time? The United States was really
looked upon by European powers as
a part of the European system.
Brazil at that time belonged to Por-
tugal. Practically, If not all, the
balance of South America was
owned, or controlled, by the Span
ish crown. The West Indies be-
longed to England, France and
Spain combined. European coun-
tries owned, or controlled, Central
America, Mexico, also what was later
known as Texas, Arizona, California,
Florida, Louisian. New Mexico and
Alaska. In fact. this Continent
might be said to have been at this