Evening star., 1940-08-10
Winkie Shuts Door
On Commitments on
Foreign Policy Moves
Points to RooseveIt's
Stand in Reply to Hoover
After 1882 Election
BY J. A. O'LEARY.
Star Staff correspondent,

by j. "A. OLEAhI.
Star Staff Correspondent.
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo,
Aug 10.-Wendell L. Willkie had
effectively closed the door today
against any efforts to commit him in
advance to support administration
foreign policy moves.
In formal statement late yes
terday he pointedly took the posi-
ton that the President and Congress
must bear their appropriate re-
sponsibilities" in shaping govern
mental policy. At the same time,
he defended his right as candi-
date for President to remain in a
position to discuss the Government S
course of action unhampered by ad-
vance agreements.
Mr. Willkie made it clear that the
statement was his answer to efforts
made in recent weeks to have him
agree to certain specific proposals
concerning this countrys course of
action in the present international
situation. He did not reveal who
had made the suggestions, but ex-
planned that while some stated
frankly they did not speak for the
administration, others left their
status in doubt.
Says Attitude Known.
The Republican nominee insisted
his own general attitude toward
the present world situation and how
1t affects American interests is
well known, but he made it plain he
does not intend to be placed in a
position that would render him un-
able to discuss publicly any given
position the administration may
take.
In support of his position, Mr..
Willkie cited the example set by
President Roosevelt himself, fol-
lowing his election in 1882. Herbert
Hoover, the outgoing President, was
considering the foreign debt settle
ment question, and Mr.. Willkie re-
called that President-electR Roosevelt
at that time said to Mr.. Hoover:
THE immediate questions raised
create responsibility which rests
upon those now vested with eXecu-
tive and legislative authority"
Mr.. Willkie went step further,
however, by indicating in his state
ment that such a stand might be
open to question after a candidate
has been elected, whereas it would
not be subject to challenge while a
man is still running for Office.
The text of his statement follows:
During the course of the last
couple of weeks several different
persons have communicated with
me, some frankly stating that they
did not represent the administra-
ton, while others left their status
In doubt. 1t was suggested by some
of these that it was desired that
7 enter into certain commitments
on specific proposals concerned with
the foreign policy of the United
States, provided the administration
would take certain positions with
reference thereto. On at least one
occasion there were press reports
about such communications, and I
have just learned of another press
report on the same subject.
Commitments "Not Appropriate"
I'm order that there may be no
possible misinterpretation I want to
make my position quite clear. First
of all, my general views on the for
eign policy and the vital interests
of the United States in the present
international situation are well
known, having been stated by me
publicly several times. AS to specific
executive or legislative proposals, I
do not think it appropriate for me
to enter into advance commitments
and understandings. If the national
administration through any of its
accredited representatives publicly
takes any given position with ref
erence to our foreign policy I may
on appropriate public occasions
comment thereon.
president elect Franklin D.
Roosevelt said to President Herbert
Hoover in November, 1882: The i'm =
mediate questions raised create a
responsibility which rests upon those
now vested with executive and leg
islative authority Much doubt was
expressed as to the wisdom of that
statement by PreSident-elect.
None can doubt its correctness when
taken by a candidate for President.
May I add at this time in the
worlds history when democratic
government and method is in test,
we should be especially careful to
keep alive the democratic processes
in arriving at governmental policies
and acts. The Chief Executive and
Congress must bear their appro-
pirate responsibilities, and the can
didate for the presidency of the
United States should reserve to him.
self an unhampered right of public
discussion"
Destroyer Question Raised.
The advisability of selling old
United States destroyers to Great
Britain in her present crisis is said
to have been one of the questions
suggested to Mr.. WILKES advisers
by a man who did not claim to be
speaking for the President. Ac-
Cording to reports, it was intimated
that this step might be recommend
ed by the administration if Mr.
Wlllk1e would not attack 1t. Mr..
Willkie, it is understood, took the
position that to make such an
agreement would be equivalent to
indorsing it, and that only the ad-
ministration had the facts on which
to decide the question.
In one of the speeches he made
at Akron, Ohio, before his nomina-
ton, Mr.. Willkie called assistance
to the Allies the first consideration
In discussing national defense for
this country.
Taking the position that if France
and England could stop Hitler this
country might be saved from later
expenditure of billions for defense,
Mr.. Willkie at that time said it
would "be to our advantage to help
them in every way we can short of
declaring war"
Not long after that France was