Evening star., 1939-09-05


gle. Billions more loaned to our
allies, never repaid, but constituting
in the resentment aroused by our
efforts to collect them, living proof
of the old Shakesperian adage-"A
loan oft loses both itself and friend"
Today history is repeating itself
Instead of being saved for posterity
the asserted objective of the World
War-democracy has been crushed
and destroyed in many nations.
Do you believe the propagandists
will not again feverishly start to
work, as they did in the World War
years, disseminating the same falla-
cies calculated to lead us into an
other world holocaust?
Let me allude to some of the prin-
cipal fallacies. They will have a
familiar ring. Perhaps you have
unconsciously been impressed by
some of these specious arguments
which have already flooded the
country.
First and foremost, now that war
RACES in Europe, the United States
will not be able to keep out of it.
This argument rests on the false
premise that we are bound to take
sides with the so-called demOcracieS
Otherwise, two narrowing conse-
quences will ensue: Democracy
will be destroyed in the world and
We will be the next marked for ex-
tinction; and, our trade, commerce
and financial relationships would be
decimated by the victorious, ruth
less dictators. Such assertions as
sumo that if we do not fight in
Europe, we will be forced to fight
here. The answer to this fallac is
clear. If we must fight in self
defense, by all means, let us be pre-
pared to make fight that will in
sure a smashing defeat of our ag-
gressors. Let us build an Army,
Navy and air force not only adequate
for our self protection but one that
will command the respect and for
bearance of the world Let us spend
billions for self-defense; not one
penny to send American boys to
death on foreign soil
Prone to Sympathize.
Secondly, the claim will be made
by these same propagandists and
supported by some of our own high
minded citizens who have sympathy,
based on blood ties or imagined
identity of interests with the alleged
democracies to preserve order in
the world. While I am on the sub
Ject OF the natural sympathy which
some OF our citizens have for their
klnsfolk in foreign countries who
are liable to be victims of aggression,
let me make this observation, We
are all prone to sympathies for one
side or another. That contributed
to our attitude and final action in
the last war. But the basic issue is
clear. 1t is, are those who bespeak
sympathy and favor intervention q
note most of them are beyond the
war age), prepared to send their
sons, husbands and fathers to may
hem and death in these foreign
landS? l have my sympathies and
you have yours, but I conceive that
during my 25 years of public life. 1
nave never had a more serious or
solemn obligation to my country
men than that which confronts me
noW-the solemn duty and grave
responsibility of keeping America
from participating in the present
european war.
According to this view we are, as
they would have us believe. under
an almost divinely imposed obliga-
tlon to enter into selected foreign
dispute and be prepared to fight,
II necessary, to settle them. This
contention, it may be, is commend
| able in purpose, but it fails to ac-
knowledge the incontrovertible fact
that where nation interferes in
international complications, it must
expect inevitably to suffer the conse-
quences of involvement in war.
Thirdly, other propagandists argue
that Germany and Russia are God
less nations and hate religion. Both
are alleged to be intent upon de-
stroylng organized religion as we
know 1t in the Christian world.
1 am a sincere believer, as most
Americans are, in the American
sytsem of individual liberty, free
enterprise and constitutional rights
OF freedom of religious Worship.
Foreign PHILOSOPHERS which deny
basic rights to the people are in
principle and method equally un-
satisfactory to me, whether they be
totalltarian Soviet states which sup
press belief in God and denv the
rights of private property, or the
totalitarian Nazi state which dis
crlmlnates against class or creed.
Must Be Tolerant.
While most regrettable, these un-
American theories are immaterial
so lar as our diplomatic and business
relations are concerned. Any other
view is unmindful of our history
wherein we have from the very
beginning striven to maintain
friendly relations with all foreign
peoples irrespective of their religion
Va foAAoASoA pAiAiooopIilcS. AS Amer
leans, desiring to live in peace with
the world, we must be tolerant of
the beliefs and views of others.
however contrary to our ideals: and
acknowledge their right to estab-
lish systems of government of their
own choosing. It is indeed unfortu-
nate if anywhere people are en-
slaved. However, we cannot ieopar-
die our own self-interest to free
them unless we desire to wage con-
tinuous warfare in all parts of the
world where inalienable rights are
denied.
Apart from our sympathies. we
should play no official favorites
Above all, we must fix our minds
upon the one objective most to be
desired by our people-peace. Let
us resolve never on any pretext or
at any behest, however appealing
and subtle, to be drawn into an
other vortex similar to that of 1917.
II we must fight for democracy, for
liberty, for justice, for home and