Evening star., 1940-05-16

countries-by . few countries which
deny the freedoms which we main.
tain are essential to our democratic
way Of life. This reject.
I know that to cope with present
dangers we must be strong In heart
and hand; strong in our faith
strong in faith In our way of living.
II, too. pray for peace-that the
ways Of aggression and force may be
banished from the earth-but / am
determined to face the fact realisti-
cally that this Nation requires q
toughness of moral and physical
fiber. Those qualities, I am con-
vinced, the American people hold to
a high degree"
Special Session II Needed.
Mr.. Roosevelt, in closing, assured
the Congress that he would not hes
itate to call them into special ses-
sion If at any time the national
defense required it. Congress and
the Chief Executive. he added,
constitute a team where the de-
tense OF the land is concerned"
Stephen T. Early, secretary to the
President, told his press conference
today that the Presidents decision
to go before Congress In person was
IN response to urging by Secretary
OF State Hull and congressional
leaders. Principal element In the
reasoning, Mr.. Early explained, was
the desire to receive wide circula-
tion Of the Presidents remarks. This
would come about, it was pointed
out, through having him appear in
person and have the address broad
cast by radio.
In addition to being broadcast on
three chains throughout the United
States the message was translated
into seven foreign languages and
sent throughout the world.
Anxious About Italy.
Devoting most Of the past three
days to preparation of his message,
the President throughout has been
in frequent contact with defense and
diplomatic advisers both here and
abroad. DESTROYS from the begin
ming of helping prevent spread Of
the conflict to the Mediterranean,
he has discussed Italy's apparent
intentions with State Department
advisers and is reported to have
authorized yesterdays call by Am
bassador William Phillips on Fascist
officials in Rome in a further effort
to delay their Intervention.
A pending $7S5. 600, 900 Army sup
ply bill, already passed by the House.
will be held open in Senate COM
mittee for revision in the light of
the Presidents request, Chairman
Thomas of Oklahoma said yester:
day.
Two OF the Presidents defense
collaborators left no room for doubt
on the gravity which the admins
tration attached to immediate
Army Navy needs.
1--WE are in no 10-cent ante game"
said Navy Secretary Edison. I'VE
must play this game with blue
chips"
War Secretary Woodring modern
ized the "nillions-for-defense" quo
tation of early American history,
saying:
"The time is nearing when we
must spend billions of dollars to de-
fend this great democracy"
A. F. of L. Asks Vigilance.
AS the swift tempo of world events
thus exerted powerful influence on
this Governments rules of conduct,
comment and opinion flow In from
all sides.
In executive session here, the
Executive Council of the American
Federation of Labor yesterday called
for increased vigilance against the
Trojan horse organizations Of Com
munist and Naz adherents in
this country, Endorsed immediate
strengthening and modernization of
our defenses, but warned that de-
mocracy and freedom ION this earth
would be jeopardized if the United
States were to 60 to war"
At luncheon given In honor of
Chairman Jones of the House Agri-
culture Committee, retiring from
Congress to assume a Federal judge
ship, Secretary Of Agriculture WAL
lace told his listeners that IF Ger
many should crash through. we
know we have a problem of readiust-