Evening star., 1939-04-15

one of the nations of the Western
Hemisphere, is not involved in
the immediate controversies which
have arisen in Europe, I trust
that you may be willing to make
such statement of policy to me
as the head of a nation far re-
moved from Europe in order that
I, acting only with the RESPONSE
bility and obligation of friendly
intermediary. may communicate
such declaration to other nations
now apprehenSive as to the course
which the policy of your govern
ment may take.
Are you willing to give assur-
ance that your armed forces will
not attack or invade the territory
Or possessions of the following in
dependent nations: Finland. Es-
tonia, Latvia. Lithuania. Sweden,
Norway Denmark, The Neither
lands, Belgium, Great Britain and
Ireland. France. Portugal. Spain.
Switzerland, Liechtenstein. Lux
emburg, Poland. Hungary. Ru-
mania, Yugoslavia, Russia, Bull
garia, Greece. Turkey, Irao. the
Arabias. Syria, Palestine, Egypt
and Iran.
Such an assurance clearly must
apply not only to the present day
but also to a future sufficiently
long to give every opportunity to
work by peaceful methods for a
more permanent peace. I. there
fore, suggest that you construe
the word future" to apply to a
minimum period of assured non-
aggression-10 years at the least
a quarter of century, if we dare
look that far ahead.
II 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 reason
ably sure, each of the nations
enumerated above will in turn
give like assurance for transmits
sion to you
Reciprocal assurance such as I
have outlined will bring to the
world an immediate measure of
relief.
I propose that if it is given, two
essential problems shall promptly
be discussed in the resulting
:. n1AA2l surroundings, and in
those discussions tliA Government
Of the United States will gladly
take part.
U. S. Trade Talks Promised.
The discussions which I have
in mind relate to the most ef-
fective and immediate manner
through which the peoples of the
world can obtain progressive re-
lief from the crushing burden of
armament which is each dav
bringing them more closely to the
brink of economic disaster. ST.
multaneously. the Government of
the United States would be pre-
pared to take part in discussions
looking 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 assurance of
obtaining the materials and prod
ucts Of peaceful economic life.
At the same time. those govern
ments other than the United
States which are directly inter-
ested could undertake such polit-
lcal discussions as they may con-
slider necessary or desirable.
We recognize complex world
problems which affect all hu-
manity, but we know that study
and discussion of them must be
held in an atmosphere of peace.
Such an atmosphere of peace
cannot exist if negotiations are
overshadowed by the threat of
force or by the fear of war.
l think you will not misunder-
stand the spirit of frankness in
which I send you this message.
Heads OF great governments in
this hour are literally responsible
for the fate of humanity in the
coming years. They cannot fail
to hear the prayers of their peo-
pies to be protected from the
foreseeable chaos of war. His
tory will hold them accountable
for the lives and the happiness
OF all--even unto the least.
I hope that your answer will
make it possible for humanity 70
lose fear and regain security for
many years to come.
A similar message is being ad-