Evening star., 1939-04-18
Tolerance Needed 10
Guard Democracy,
Schwe||enbach Warn!
Forum Speaker Calls
For Peace Example
For World by U. S.

of Washington spoke on Democracy
Here and Abroad last night in the
National Radio Forum, arranged by
The Star and broadcast over a Ma
tion-wide network Of the National
Broadcasting Co. The text of his
address follows:
During these days the attention
of the American people is focused on
world events. This is but natural.
We anxiously read each edition of
the daily press. We anxiously tune
in on each succeeding broadcast of
the news. We know that the
plunging of Europe into war would
inevitably have its effect upon us.
No matter what other effects might
ensue, economically it would be al
most disastrous. Indeed, even the
threats and fears of European war
in the last year and one-half have,
in themselves, been the most i'm
portant contributing factor in our
present economic troubles. No one
will deny that the almost fatal COL
lapse of normal world trade from
Europe-wide war would many times
magnify these troubles. 1t is the
surplus of every commodity which
We produce and article we manu-
facture which fixes the price for
such commodity or article.
Therefore, whether we like it or
not, we do have an interest in
world affairs. You notice I use the
word interest" instead of invest
ment." To my mind there is
difference between the two words.
The word investment implies the
obligation of the use of force to
protect it. I am sure the American
people would not approve of such
a course. On the other hand, I
am sure the American people don't
want us to lull ourselves into
sense of security by ignoring what is
going on in the world around us.
We are part of the world. We
can't overlook that fact.
The Public's Attitude.
I think the attitude of the Amer
ican people may be summed up in
these three sentences: Cd We don't
want a war to occur in Europe.
ca If European war comes, we
want to stay out of it. 90 Regard
less of its outcome, we don't want
such war to spread to the Western
Hemisphere.
If 1 properly appraise the attitude
OF the great majority Of those in
both the executive and legislative
branches of our Government here
in Washington, it may be summed
up with the following three SEN
tences:
l. 1t is the duty of our Govern
ment to make every effort, consist
ent with the determination not to
become involved in armed conflict,
to prevent an outbreak of a Euro
pean war.
Distinctly in line with this policy,
President Roosevelt, last Saturday,
penned his message to Hitler and
Mussolini. Daring and well-timed
as the message was, the President
was very careful in its context. He
used extreme care in limiting his
position to that of intermediary. He
specifically disclaimed his willing
ness to act as arbitrator. He pledged
the United States in only two par
ticulars: l. Our willingness to join
in a general discussion of disarma-
ment. 2. Our willingness to open
up the channels of world trade. No
one, even the most timid, could OBJ
ject to either of these two sugges-
tions. In sending his message,
President Roosevelt was motivated
by the same desire each one of us
has, that is, the hope that European
war shall be prevented At the same
time the care with which the mes
sage was drafted is in itself proof
OF this recognition of the unwilling
ness OF the American people to be-
come actively involved in purely
European affairs
OF course, such efforts result in
criticism from those at each ex-
treme. 1t is, however, the only safe
course for us to pursue.
2. Our Government must take no
step which will lead us along the
course of involvement in a Euro
pean war.
The experience of 20 years ago has
taught us the futility of that course.
We went then in good faith, think
ing it was possible for us, by means
OF a short tour ofsduty in Europe,
to bring about the solution of their
problems. We now know how false
was that assumption. We now know
that If we should hope to perma-
nently solve Europe's problems, we
must be ready to permanently po-
lice Europe. No American wants
that. We gave $4,000 of our lives,
hundreds of thousands of manned
bodies and s26,0OO,OOO 900 of our
money to learn that lesson. That
should be enough. We helped rid
the German people of their Kaiser
and they got Hitler. Should we
relieve them of him, the chances
are another 20 years would see an
even more dangerous leadership.
If the years 1917 and 1918 taught
us anything, it should be that the
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