Evening star., 1940-01-04

of the members of Congress are un-
willing to 60 along with the Presi-
dent. They follow him, almost to a
man, in the belief that America
should be prepared to defend itself
in the event of attack. But that the
freedom of the American people is
necessarily bound in with the free
dom Of other peoples is something
they are not willing to concede.
The message was generally re-
ceived with friendly acclaim, how
ever. Particularly was the Presi-
dents assertion that no one had any
expectation that this country would
become involved in the war with
Europe given generous applause.
Also we'll received was the announce
ment that the budget which he Is
sending to Congress today would
show reductions in practically all
governmental expenditures except
those for national defense.
Trade Treaty Defense.
The Presidents defense of the
Hull reciprocal trade agreements
was whole hearted. He insisted that
the European wars had not made
such agreements any less necessary,
and that when it came to making
peace abroad, the principle of the
trade agreements, if adopted gener-
ally, would go a long way toward
making more permanent peace
In some quarters the Presidents
n too ynniNYirn of thn Ioor
to the heart of the Secretary of
State was even interpreted as evi-
dence that the Chief Executive was
giving his approval to the possible
nomination of Mr.. Hull for Presi-
dent when the Democratic National
Convention conveneS next summer
This is carrying Interpretation to an
extreme degree. Mr.. Hull has made
it abundantly clear that he is not
seeking presidential nomination.
although he is highly regarded
throughout the country for his able
and unselfish public service. But
certainly the Presidents attitude
seems to imply that he could have
no possible objection to the nomina-
ton of his Secretary of State.
Genial Attitude Cited.
The Presidents genial attitude at
this opening of the last regular Ses-
sion of the present Congress-the
pleasant manner In which he has
greeted Vice President Garner, both
at the White House and again at the
joint session of Congress, despite the
fact Mr.. Garner is in the race for
the presidential nomination whether
the President should be candidate
himself or not, adds to the belief
now generally held that he himself
does not desire to be candidate.
Further, 1t lends itself to a belief
that the President has definitely
decided not to be a candidate for a
third term.
The reception accorded Vice Pres
ident Garner when he entered the
House chamber for the joint session
yesterday was indicative of the
strong following which the Texan
undoubtedly has in his race for the
nomination. 1t may we'll be, how
ever, that not all of the acclaim was
for the presidential candidacy of
Mr.. Garner, but that it was accorded
man who was determined to 60
through with his opposition to a
third-term candidacy for any man.
Plea for National Unity.
The Presidents plea for national
unity" in this country, in view of
the world situation, was translated
by some of his Republican listeners
into a plea for laying aside political
partisanship. This did not appeal
to them. They were quick to differ
entiate between loyalty to the Gov
ernment of the United States and
loyalty to the Roosevelt administra-
ton. It was recalled that Abraham
Lincoln had once said, There is an
important sense in which the Gov
ernment is distinct from the admin
istration. One is perpetual; the
other temporary and changeable. A