Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-07-10
Mind Own Business,
InsuIate Hemisphere,
Woodring Tells U. 5.
AssoiIs Wedding Advisers
Who Would Strip
Our Defenses'
5y the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
TOPEKA, Kans., July 10-Harry
H. Woodring in his first public iad-
dress since leaving President Roose-
velt's cabinet June 20 said the United
States had ali it could do to mind
its own business and prepare like
hell to insulate this hemisphere from
war"
The former Secretary of War did
not mention his letter of resigna-
ton to the President, letter the
White House said was too person.
al to make public.
He spoke last night at Cham
Der of Commerce dinner welcom-
ing him back to his native State.
His address was broadcast.
Mr. Woodring asserted he was a
Neutrality-suspicious. now and al
ways"
IF the reaction from my leaving
the War Department as a known
Neutrality-suspicious. has caused mod
iflcation of some policies and Sob
cred some of those provocative and
meddling advisers of the admins
tration, who would strip our own
defenses, then I regret that I had
only one set of CUTS to sacrifice on
the altar of public service"
Favors Hands off Europe"
"I am a strong advocate of keep
ing this country out of recurring
European wars" he said. II hold
it is not necessary for America to
provoke antagonisms with any peo-
Piles because their nation chooses
one form of government over an
other.
I'VE naturally believe in and are
sympathetic to the democracieS of
the world. But as they wage war,
our aid should not be determined
upon the issue of whether it be a
defensive war to maintain their
war-won empires; or an offensive
one to maintain European balance
of power, or even if moral or So
cial problems of European peoples
be involved; our aid should be gen.
. erous and upon strict basis of cash
and carry-wheat, pork arms and
airplanes alike-but aid only to the
point that the sale does not jeop-
ardize the defenses of our own
country.
There need be no first line of
defense beyond our own possessions
If we refrain from provoking bel
ligerency with any of the warning
nations of this world.
What is our quarrel with any
power in the Orient, the Far or
Near East, Europe or Asia? We have
all we can do to mind our own bust
ness and prepare like hell to inSu-
late this hemisphere from war.
Defense Preparations Approved.
"a neutral America, with friend
ly attitude to all nations, backed up
by a powerfully prepared Army and
Navy, is an America that has an
ticipated the path OF wisdom and
the path of peace"
Mr.. Woodring voiced his approval
of Mr. Roosevelts moves to acceler-
ate national defense preparations,
citing the program as proof that
our democracy works"
I'm the hour of great need for
accomplishment" he said, the wis
dom of President Roosevelt in calling
to Washington the Knudsens, Stet-
tiniuses and other successful men of
industry will be proven"
The former Kansas Governor
voiced dissatisfaction with some
New Deal phases.
Simply because it was done in the
name of the Democratic party he
explained, II have not approved of
many of the methods used in Wash
ington to reach detectives and do
not approve of some of the BRAIN
less, impractical advisers that think
our democracy must be tlnkered
with or made over.
New Reform Projects Called Unwise.
with increasing public debt and
large annual deficits, it is imprudent
and unwise to further introduce new
reform projects. Further reform
legislation when men need jobs and
homes is like caviar to the hungry"
Of President Roosevelt's proposed
Pan-American cartel, Mr.. Woodring
asserted:
Il agree that measures must be
taken to prevent economic penetra-
ton of South America by nations
whose purposes and economic poll
cies are inimical to ours.
I'VE should not, however, be a
party to any cartel or other proposal
which will sacrifice the interests of