Evening star., 1941-05-26
BY the Associated Press.

voys, Nazis say. Page A-3
BY the Associated Press.
Stephen Early, presidential sec
retary, said today he had an idea
that Berlin "is trying to do any
thing it can to becloud' President
Roosevelt'S "fireside chat" to-
morrow night.
He made that statement when re-
porters informed him that the Ger
man Foreign Office was commenting
on an interview in which Grand
Admiral Erich Raeder, commander
of the German Navy, warned the
United States against conveys and
patrolling.
Mr.. Early told reporters:
I've got an idea Berlin today is
trying to do anything it can to be-
cloud the Presidents speech and
precipitate something for you gen.
tlemen between now and Tuesday
night"
He added that he would not be
surprised if reporters were uuerying
him about other dispatches from
Berlin before the presidential sd-
dress.
Importance Emphasized.
The importance of the speech was
emphasized further when Mr.. Early
told reporters Mr.. Roosevelt was de-
voting more time to its preparation
than he ever had known him to put
in on an address.
Mr.. Early said changes were being
made in the address as events
abroad developed. He was asked if
his advice to newspapermen not to
go too strong" in writing about
plans for an address by Mr.. Roose-
welt on May IA. which was Cancelled,
applied to the forthcoming "fireside
chat"
up to yesterday, I would have
repeated that warning Mr.. Early
said, but today the President will
be engaged through the day, much
of the night and probably most of
tomorrow revising his speech In the
light of rapidly changing conditions
abroad"
Working with the President in
drafting the speech are Robert E.
Sherwood. noted author and play
wright, and Judge Samuel l. Rosen-
man of New York, an old friend of
Mr.. Roosevelt, who had a hand in
the preparation of many presiden-
tial addresses.
In Scissors Stage.
Mr.. Early said they now were in
the scissors and paste pot stage"
making inserts and additions and
cutting out some portions.
The speech has been taking on ad-
ditional significance from world de-
velopments during the week end,
such as the Raeder declaration and
Japan'S seizure in French Indo-
China of $4,000 900 worth of Amer
lean products belonging to American
firms.
The address replaces one Mr..
Roosevelt was to have made May Il
to the Pan-American Union. 1t is
scheduled to be broadcast from $50
to 10 pm.
Diplomatic representatives here Of
all the 20 Latin American republics
have been invited to be present in
the East Room of the White House
while Mr.. Roosevelt is making the
speech. What Mr.. Early described
as a honey" informal reception for
the Latin American DIPLOMATS will
follow.
The Presidents only appointments
today were with William Green.
president of the A. F. L., and George
Meany, A. F. L. secretary treasurer.
who called to present him with a
poster proclaiming that the "A. F. L.
is 100 per cent for Defense" and
with Arthur Sulzberger, publisher of
the New York Times.
Reaction Widespread.
Reaction to the reports of the i'm
portance of the speech were wide.
spread. In Toxic prices on the stock
exchange were lower, apparently
because of rumorS that the broad
cast may announce abandonment of
the United States policy of neu-
trality.
Even the beSt-informed admin
lstratlon followers in Congress made
1t clear, however. that they had no
mixing of what the President would
say, but all agreed that the address
should help to clear the air re-
garding this country's position in
fast-moving world affairs.
Advice to the President poured in
to the White House. In the opinion
OF Wendell Willkie, the talk should
be "a fortnight, courageous and re-
vealing message that will unite all
Americans" and serve notice ito
totalltarian rulers everywhere that
America intends to help stop ag-
gressor powers and totalitarianism. ("
Mr.. Willkie, the 1910 Republican
presidential candidate, spoke briefly
at a demonstration sponsored by the
United China Relief in New York
yesterday.
People Call for Action.
Senator Pepper, Democrat. OF
Florida, leading proponent of
affirmative action" against the axis
powers, suggested in a statement
today that Mr.. Roosevelt announce
full national emergency and then
tell his listeners that I'VE will not
let England fall"
"Our position should be perfectly
clear on that" Senator Pepper de-
clared, land the President has an
opportunity to make it clear. There
is no reason for our people or Mr..
Hitler to be confused about it.
1--WE should tell him (Hitler) that
we will not permit him to occupy the
Azores, other Atlantic islands, or
Dakar. And we should tell him we
are not going to let him get into a
position where he could occupy
them. Then, if we have to take
military steps, our record will be
clear"
Senator Guffey, Democrat, of
Pennsylvania, like Senator Pepper
an administration follower, said that
Mr.. Roosevelt rs the best man on
timing I know-but remarked that
(See ROOSEVELT, Page AID