Evening star., 1939-04-15
Critics Differ Sharply
On Interpretation Of
Roosevelt Speeches
Third-Term Hint Seen
While Others Comment
On Pledge Of Force

oIdJeSIleu pOllIlCldNS, QOlneSClC
and international, and those who OBJ
serve their deeds most critically
were deep in a tumble of conflicting
interpretations and reactions today
to two speeches yesterday by Presi-
dent Roosevelt.
Occupying foremost domestic in
terest, perhaps, was the belief that
the Presidents remarks at Mount
Vernon in the afternoon contained
clear hint of his willingness, or
even intention, to be a candidate
for third term, at least if anything
resembling crisis is facing the Ma
ton II months from now.
Arousing international as well as
Capitol Hill reverberations was his
address yesterday morning at the
Pan-American Building when he
pledged both force and economic
support to defense of the American
nations and advised the people of
Europe to discard policies which
lead them toward perpetual war.
Standing ON the porch of George
Washington's home at Mount Ver-
non in the afternoon, Mr.. Roosevelt
spoke of the first President as a
man who sacrificed his own desires
by accepting the presidency lin
time of real crisis and deep emer-
gency."
Washington loved the life of
country squire and after his fight
for independence must have felt he
was entitled to return to it, the
President said, but because the per-
manence of the Republic was at
stake, he continued in public life.
These remarks, delivered in COM
memoration of the 15Oth anniver-
sary of Washington's notification of
his election to the presidency,
brought this comment from Senator
Holt. Democrat. of West Virginia, a
frequent administration critic:
"Of course, we have been living in
a period of crisis ever since Mr..
Roosevelt went into Office. There is
no doubt in my mind that the
President hopes the country shares
his opinion that it needs him an
other four years"
But Senator SchWellenbach,
Democrat. of Washington. an ad-
ministration supporter, said he had
never seen any indication by the
President that he wanted to run
again
Senator Ellender, Democrat, of
Louisiana observed that the chances
of Democratic victory in 1910 de-
pended largely on Mr.. Roosevelt's
making the race.
There was disagreement among
Senators also as to the wisdom of
the Presidents speech before the
Pen-American Unions Governing
Board
German officials said the speech
clearly revealed Mr.. Roosevelt as
the master wire puller behind the
anti encirclement policy
To say it was impossible to encircle
a peaceful nation, they added. was
"negation of history" They in
dicated sharp rejoiners probably
would be made.
The Fascists in Rome referred
to the speech as new evidence OF
provocative meddling' in the af-
fairs of Europe. They reiterated
threat that unless the United States
quit interfering" Italy and Ger
many would mix in the affairs of
the United States.
Students of foreign affairs noted
there was no reference to democracy
in the speech by the President. or in
an evening address by Secretary of
State Hull in further celebration of
Pan n-American day. This was in
contrast to the fierce championship
Of democracy made by Mr.. Roose-
velt on other occasions.
The administration desire. some
of these observers believed. was to
SOW the idea that what is bringing
Europe to turmoil is not a conflict
between ideologies of fascism and
democracy, but the ambitious de-
signs of certain leaders.