Evening star., 1939-07-14
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preston created by propaganda to
the effect that the abandonment of
the arms embargo would increase
power of action on the part of the
executive branch of the Government
and conversely that the maintenance
of the embargo would serve as an ad-
ditional check on the powers of the
Executive. 1t is difficult to see how
either of these propositions could
possibly hold true. An impartial
granting of access to American mar
kets to all countries without distinc-
ton gives the Executive no addi-
tional power to choose among them
and to commit this country to any
line of policy or action which may
lead it either into dangerous con-
troversy or into war with any for
eign power.
The legislative proposals which
were recommended to the Congress
through the communications which
I transmitted to Senator Pittman
and to Congressman Bloom on May
27 providing for the safeguarding
of our Nation to the fullest possible
extent from incurring the risks of
involvement in war contemplate the
elimination of the existing arms en-
barge and are as follows:
Cd To prohibit American ships
from entering combat areas;
90 To restrict travel by American
citizens in combat areas:
90 To require that goods exported
from the United States to belliger-
ent countries shall be preceded by
the transfer of title to the forcing
purchasers:
(4 To continue the existing legis-
latlon respecting loans and credits
to belligerent nations;
go To regulate the solicitation
and collection in this country of
funds for belligerents; and
(6l To continue the National Mu-
nitions Control Board and the Ii
censing system with respect to the
importation and expectation of arms,
ammunition and implements of war.
This six-point program was the
best that could be devised after
much painstaking thought and
study, and after many conferences
with members OF the Congress, of
now best to keep this country out
OF a conflict should it arise. 1t
rests primarily on the established
rules of international law, plus the
curtailment of certain rights of our
nationals, the exercise of which is
permitted under international law
but which might lead to cortro-
versles with belligerents and eventual
1nvolvemnt in foreign wars.
Broader, More Effective.
There has thus been offered as
substitute for the present act a far
broader and more effective set of
provisions, which in no conceivable
sense could breed trouble, but y, !,
to a far greater extent than the
present act would botn aAu A..
ing less likely a general war, and.
While keeping strictly within the
limits of neutrality, would reduce as
far as possible the risk of this Ma
ton OF being drawn into war if war
comes.
In connection with our foreign af-
fairs, I think all must agree that.
unless spirit of collaboration and
cooperation characterizes the re-
lations between the Executive and
legislative departments of the Gov
ernment, the peace and other vital
interests of this country will in
evitably be jeopardized.
Having spent the best years of my
life as member of the two Houses
of Congress, I have the warmest
feeling of friendliness toward the
membership of, and the greatest re-
spect for, the legislative department,
and, in that spirit, earnestly hope
for the closest possible cooperation
in matters affecting our country's
best interests and its security in the
present grave international situa-
ton.
At this time when critical condi-
tions obtain throughout the greater
part of the world I am sure that we
are all equally persuaded that, while
the fullest measure of constructive
criticism is helpful and desirable,
and Is, of course, most welcome,
partisanship should play no part In