Evening star., 1939-04-16

eA~o SSAAASA W A~SAAS sANSAAA6 AAA y
welt his commission, with Att
to Hitler and MusSolini, at the time
of the Sudeten crisis last September,
just before the Munich settlement,
and then reminded them that he
then had appealed to them "in be-
half of the settlement of political,
economic and social problems by
peaceful methods and without re-
sort" to war.
But the tide of events seems to
have reverted to the threat of arms"
he continued. "If such threats con-
tinue, it seems inevitable that much
of the world must become involved
in common ruin. All the world, VIC
tor nations. vanquished nations, and
neutral nations will suffer"
Cites 4 Nations Fate.
He then called attention to what
already had happened to three
nations in Europe and one in Afri-
ca" - Austria, Czecho-S -Slovakia, Al
bania and Ethiopia-adding that in
the Far East one nation (Japan)
had occupied huge sector of a
neighboring country. There follow
ed his statement that he was
cognizant of reports that further
aggressions were in contemplation.
Plainly he said, the world is
moving toward the moment when
this situation must end in catastro-
phe unless more rational way
OF guiding events Is found. =
Nothing can persuade the peoples
Of the earth that any governing
power has any right or need to in
flict the consequences of war on
its own or any other people save
in the cause of self-evident home
defense.
I'm making this statement, we
as Americans speak not through
self1shness or fear or weakness. If
we speak now, 1t is with the voice
Of strength and with friendship FOR
mankind. 1t is still clear to me
that international problems can be
solved at the council table.
1T Is, therefore, no answer to
the plea for peaceful discussion for
one side to plead that unless they
receive assurances beforehand that
the verdict will be theirs, they will
not lay aside their arms. In confer
ence rooms. as in courts, 1t is neces-
sary that both sides enter upon the
discussion in good faith, assuming
that substantial justice will accrue
to both; and 1t Is customary and
necessary that they leave their arms
outside the room where they confer. -
81 Countries Named.
In asking assurances that Italy
and Germany would not molest in
dependent nations, Mr.. Roosevelt
named 81 countries: Finland, Es-
tonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Sweden
Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands
Belgium, Great Britain and Ire
land, France. Portugal, Spain, Switz-
erland. Liechtenstein, Luxembourg
Poland, Hungary, Rumania, Yugo-
slav;a, Russia, Bulgaria, Greece,
Turkey. Iraq, the Arabias, Syria
Palestine, Egypt and Iran.
such assurances" Mr.. Roose-
velt said, clearly must apply not
only to the present day, but also
toa future sufficiently long to give
every opportunity to work by peace
full methods for a more perma-
nent peace. I, personally, suggest
that you construe the word 'fu-
ture' to apply to minimum period
of assured non-aggression-1O at
the least-a quarter of a century
If we dare look that far ahead.
If such assurance is given BY
your government, I will immedi-
ately transmit it to the govern
ments of the nations I have named
and I will simultaneously inquire
whether, as I am reasonably sure,
each of the nations enumerated
above will, in turn, give like as
surance for transmissio nto you.
Assurances Would Bring Relief.
Reciprocal assurances such as
have outlined will bring to the
world an immediate measure of
relief.
Il propose that if it is given, two
essential problems shall promptly
be discussed in the resulting peace
full surroundings. an din these dis
cupssions the Government of the
United States will gladly take part.
The discussions which I have
In mind relate to the most effec-
tive and immediate manner
through which the peoples of the
world can obtain progressive re-
lief from the crushing burden Of
armament which is each day
bringing them more closely to the
brink of economic disaster.
simultaneously, the Govern
ment of the United States would
be prepared to take part in dis
cussions loking toward the most
practical manner of opening up
avenues of international trade to
the end that every nation of the
earth may be enabled to buy and
sell on equal terms in the world
market as we'll as to possess as
surances of obtaining the ma
terials of peaceful economic life.
AT the same time, those gov
ernments other than the United
States which are directly inter-
ested could undertake such po-
htical discussions as they may con-
slider necessary or desirable.
II hope that your answer will
make it possible for humanity to
lose fear and regain security for
many years to come"