Evening star., 1939-04-28

cap1tal1Stlc reasons. nevertheless,
no practical conclusions have been
drawn from this fact.
Let us hope then that at least the
United States will in the future It.
self act according to this noble prip-
ciple, and will not 90 to war against
any country except in the case of
unquestionable home defense.
XII.
Mr.. Roosevelt says further that
he does not speak from selfishness
nor fear nor weakness, but with the
voice of strength and friendship for
mankind.
The answer: If this voice Of
strength and friendship for man
kind had been raised by America at
the proper time, and II above all it
had possessed some practical value,
then at least there could have beer,
prevented that treaty which has
become the source of the direst de-
rangement Of humanity and history,
namely the dictate of Versailles.
XII.
Mr.. Roosevelt declares further that
it is clear to him that all interna-
tional problems can be solved at
the council table.
The answer: Theoretically one
ought to believe In this possibility,
for common sense would correct de-
mands on the one hand and show
the compelling necessity of a COM
promise on the other.
For example, according to all COM
mon sense logic and the general
principles Of higher human JUS
tice, indeed according to the laws
of divine will, all peoples ought to
have an equal share Of the goods Of
this world.
1t ought not then to happen that
one people needs so much living
space that it cannot get along with
Is inhabitants to the square kilome-
ter, while others are forced to nour-
ish l40, $50 or even 200 on the same
area.
But In no case should these fortu-
nate peoples curtail the existing liv-
ing space of those who are, as it is,
suffering, by robbing them Of their
colonies, for instance. would there
fore be very happy if these prob
lens could really find their solution
at the council table.
My skepticism, however, is based
on the fact that it was America
herself who gave sharpest express
sion to her mistrust in the effective
ness OF conferences. For the great
est conference Of all time was with
out any doubt the League of Ma
tions.
That authoritative body represent
ing all the peoples of the world, Gre
ated in accordance with the will of
an American President, was sup
posed to solve the problems of hu-
manity at the council table.
The first state, however, that
shrank from this endeavor was the
United States-the reason being that
President Wilson himself even then
nourished the greatest doubts of the
possibility OF really being able to
solve decisive international problems
at the conference table.
We honor your well-meant opinion,
Mr.. Roosevelt, but opposed to your
opinion stands the actual fact that
in almost 20 years of the activity of
the greatest conference in the world,
namely, the League of Nations, 1t
has proved impossible to solve one
single decisive international problem.
Contrary to Wilson's promise, Ger
many was hindered for many years
by the peace treaty Of Versailles
from participating in this great
world conference. In spite of the
most bitter experience. one German
government believed that there was
no need to follow the example Of
the United States. and that they
should therefore take their seat at
this conference table.
It was not till after years of pur-
poseless participation that I resolved
to follow the example of America
and likewise leave the largest con-
ference in the world. Since then
have solved the problems concern
ing my people which like all others
were, unfortunately. not solved at
the conference table of the League
OF Nations-and, too. without re-
course to war in any case.
Apart from this, however, as al
ready mentioned. numerous other
problems have been brought before
world conferences in recent years
without any solution having been
found
If, however, Mr.. Roosevelt, your
belief that every problem can be
solved at the conference table is
true. then all nations, including the
United States, have been led in the
past 100 or 300 years either by blind
men or by criminals.
For all of them, including the
statesmen of the United States and
especially her greatest, did not
make the chief part of their history
at the conference table but with the
aid of the strength of their people.
The freedom of North America
was not achieved at the conference
table any more than the conflict
between the North and the South
was decided there. I will say Moth
ing about the innumerable struggles
which finally lead to the subjuga-
tion OF the North American conti-
nent as whole.
I mention all this only in order
to show that your view, Mr.. Roose.
welt, although undoubtedly deserv.
ing of all honor. finds no confirma.
ton in the history either of your
own country or Of the rest of the
world.
Mr.. Roosevelt continues that It is
no answer to the plea for peaceful
discussion for one side to plead that
unless they receive assurances be.
forehand that the verdict will be
theirs not to lay aside their arms.
The answer: Do you believe, Mr..
Roosevelt, that when the final fate
OF nations is in the balance, a gov
ernment or the leaders of a people
will lay down their arms or sur
render them before a conference.
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