Evening star., 1940-12-30
Press Generally Favorable
To Presidents Broadcast
Several Papers Ask Definite Program,
Others Warn Of Involvement in War

illS ucthilCG cApOolblOn Oh the means
which he proposes we shall take to
reach the end in view"
Christian Science Monitor, inde-
pendent: Had the head of q major
democratic state SO decisiyely re-
iected appeasement five years ago,
this war might have been avoided.
Even now flrmness may shorten the
struggle between the two worlds"
which Herr Hitler recently called
irreconcilable. For Mr.. Roosevelt
made it abundantly clear what
Americas choice is. 1t can half
heartedly contribute to a common
defense of democracy-and risk hav-
ing to stand alone in a "last-ditch
f1ght"-or it can contribute whole
heartedly in the hope that Hitlerism
will be routed and America will not
be drawn in"
Portland CMe) Evening Express,
Republican,
ut was not a neutral speech; It
was. in the new Technology of
world politics, a acknowledgement
speech. 1t may have caused con-
sternation in some quarters in
America, but it stated facts-un-
pleasant facts, some of them. to be
sure-but facts which America must
face, now. The speech gave ex-
preston to the demonstrated will
of the majority of Americans"
Louisville Courier journal, In
dependent-Democrat:
"The President has given the lie
forever to all those who deny that
the United States of America is ir-
reyocable opposed to the axis part
ners.
"And he has given the lie for
ever to all the appeasers who would
betray us. '''
I'VE have prayed that the Presi-
dent would be thus courageous and
give us the leadership we so sorely
needed.
1--WE now have the leadership but
We, the people, must carry on to
victory"
Boston Globe independently "a
new note is his tthe Presidents
avoWed disbelief in an axis victory.
For the past two years he has not
erred on the side of optimism. OBJ
viously his information must be of
the best What Mr.. Roosevelt
does not say-and such a speech
is probably not the place to say
it's how deep We are to go ..
However, self-intereSt and hu-
name sentiment may dictate Wig
orOus and timely aid to England,
however ghastly may look the pos
sibility of that enormous aggregate
Of axis gangdbm pictured by the
President if they should win. we
must bethink ourselves Of defense
in either event"
Boston Herald (Republican) "An
overwhelming majority of the people
will approve of the tone and the
substance of the Presidents talk
on national security, but even those
who will applaud it most enthusi-
astically will regret the absence of
facts, figures and specifications
about industrial production. We
know as little this morning as yes
terday about the correctness of the
charges that production has Jagged.
This omission makes the address
far less satisfying than IL might
have been. 1t calls, therefore, for
a supplement, either from the Pres
ident when he talks to Congress
or from Mr., Knudsen."
Boston Post independent Demo-
cratic; The Presidents address
was as frank and effective a de-
/ lineation of national policy as
that of Lincoln's first inaugural
speech.
only one point was not carried
far enough. The President declared
, that no expeditionary force will be
sent overseas. AS he uttered these
words many of us wondered If that
/ includes the Navy. It is possible
that our Navy might be used for
conveys and the like and actual
defense of the British Isles?"
Hartford Conn Courant, Re-
publican:
"AS the President frankly de-
clared, defense under his doctrine
is no longer a problem involving the
needs of the United States alone. 1t
likewise is problem involving the
needs of Great Britain, as we'll. To
all intents and purposes, apparently,
the military planning departments
of the two nations have already been
merged. and the United States has
assumed the responsibility for be-
coming the arsenal of both. If he
country is to discharge its response
bility, it must obviously make vast
changes in its present methods and
Its present ways, as the President