Evening star., 1940-05-10
Roosevelt
Continued From First Page.)

In a radio address last September,
when the wheels Of war were begin
ming to roll in Europe.
Il hope the United States will
keep out Of this war 2 he said at that
time. II believe that it will. And
give you assurances that every effort
OF your Government win be directed
toward that end.
"As long as it remains within my
power to prevent, there will be no
blackout Of peace In the United
States"
Just before meeting the press, the
President conferred for more than
an hour with three cabinet officers
and Arnay-Navy chieftains. Sum-
moned to the White House we're
Secretary of State Hull, Undersecre-
tary Sumner Welles, Attorney Gen.
eral jackson, Secretary of Treasury
Morgenthau, Gen. George G. Mar
shall, Army chief Of staff, and Ad-
miral Harold r. Stark, chief of
naval operations. Questioned at the
press conference as to whether any
broad decisions had been made dur
ing this meeting with his advisers,
the President replied they had not,
but said many things are under
study. He said he did not believe
these matters should be given the
status OF news at the present time.
Mr.. Roosevelt said specifically that
no change in the combat zone for
American shipping i contemplated
At present. He had been asked if
the zone might be drawn around
colonial possessions of the Dutch
ahd Belgian governments.
The President said the reported
bombing Of Brussels, an open city
spch as the Germans had pledged
would not be attacked from the air,
was one of the problems under study.
Avoids East Indies Question.
iMr. Roosevelt said he had given
no thought to the possibility of ask
ing Congress to remain in session In
view of the increasingly acute Euro
Hean situation.
BY remarking that there were too
many Ifs" in the question, he
turned aside an inquiry as to
whether it would make any differ
4nce if Japan or Germany should
attempt to take over Dutch East
Indies.
.The President said he has not yet
written his speech for tonight before
the Pan American Scientific Con-
eFess and that he could not say
Whether the address will deal with
the international situation.
/. Receives Danish Minister.
Immediately after his press con-
fIrence, the Chief Executive received
the Danish Minister, Henrik de
Kauffmann. Mr.. de Kaufman
presented to Mr.. Roosevelt a resolu-
ton adopted by the United Green
land Councils at Godhavn, Green
land, on May 3, thanking this Gov
eminent and the American people
fpr their sympathies and help for
Greenland.
1T is our hope" the resolution
aeid, that the United States
Government will continue to hold
II mind the exposed position of the
Danish flag in Greenland, of the
Native Greenland and Danish popu-
4tion and of established public
order. We hope that the United
States Government, taking into ac-
count our isolated geographical po-
0tion, will facilitate the import of
Necessities and the export of our
products" ~
Shortly after noon the President
received Dr.. A. Loudon, Netherlands
Minister here. Later he was to see
Count Won der Straten-Ponthoz,
Ambassador from Belgium.
Following the White House con-
ference Admiral Stark indicated
that the United States Fleet would
femain in Hawaiian waters for
dome time despite the completion Of
var maneuvers IN the Rrea.
He said there was s"no' change
whatever" in the status Of the
feet. II
Asked whether sthere was any,
thing to reports that the Navy's
fighting vessels we're moving toward
the Philippines. Admiral Stark said
that 30 far as he knew they were
nothing but thin air."
Possibly. he said, some ships may