Evening star., 1939-09-04

have been done if there had been no neutrality
statute on the books for this proclamation is in
accordance with international law and with Ameri-
can policy.
This will be followed by a proclamation re-
quired by the existing neutrality act. I trust that
in the days to come our neutrality can be made
true neutrality
1t is of the utmost Importance that the people
OF this country with the best information in the
world, think things through The most dangerous
enemies of American peace are those who without
well-rounded information on the whole broad sub
ect of the past the present and the future under
take to speak with authority, to talk in terms of
glittering generalities, to give to the Nation as
surances or prophecies which of little present
future value.
1 myself cannot and do not prephesy the
course OF events abroad-and the reason is that
because have of necessity such complete picture
OF what is going on In every part of the world.
I do not dare to do And the other reason is
that think it is honest for me to be honest with
the people of the United States.
No American Has Moral Right
To Profiteer at Home or Abroad.
I cannot prophesy the immediate economic
effect of this new Nation but do say
that no American has the moral right to prohteer
at the expense either Of his fellow citizens or of
the men, women and children who are living and
dying in the midst of in Europe.
Some things do know Most of us in the
United States believe in spiritual values Most of
u.s. regardless of what church belong to- be-
lieve in the spirit of the New Testament-A great
teaching which opposes itself to the use of force
OF armed force, OF marching armies and falling
bombs The overwhelming masses of our people
seek peace-peace at home and the kind of peace
in other lands which will not jeopardze peace at
home.
We have certain ideas and ideals of national
safety and must act to preserve that safety to-
day and to preserve the safety of our children in
future years.
That safety is and will be bound up with the
safety of the Western Hemisphere and OF the seas
adjacent thereto. We seek to keep war from our
fresdes by keeping from coming to the Ameri-
For that we have historic precedent that goes
back to the days of the administration of President
George Washington It is serious enough and tragic
enough to every American family in every State
in the Union to live in world that is torn by wars
other continents. Today they affect every Ameri-
home It is national duty to use every
effort to keep them out of the Americas.
Partisanship and Selfshness
Should Yield to National Unity.
And at this time let me make the simple plea
that partisanship and selfshness be adjourned and
that national unity be the thought that underies
all others.
This Nation will remain neutral Nation but
cannot ask that every American remain neutral in
thought well. Even neutral has right to take
account of facts Even neutral cannot be asked to
close his mind or his conscience
I have said not once but many times that
and again.
hope the United States will keep out of this
war. believe that it will. And give you assur-
ances that every effort of your Government will be
directed toward that end.
AS long as 1t remains within my power to pre-
vent, there will be backout of peace in the
United States.