Evening star., 1941-05-12
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
NEW YORK, May 12.-Follo,0-
ing is the tert OF broadcast nd-
dress oiDen last night By former
President Herbert HooDer.
For the last six months I have
remained aside from the controversy
on whether we should join in this
war. I have been waiting to see
the progress of our preparedness,
I have wanted to see the situation
abroad develop more fully. I had
believed that the President was
earnestly endeavoring to keep his
promise to the American people of
October %:
I'VE will not participate
in foreign wars and will not send
our Army, Navy or air forces to
fight in foreign lands outside of the
Americas, except in case of attack" ."
In the past 10 days we have had
many speeches and much propa-
sanda, the meaning OF which is to
drive the American people into this
war. One who has been honored
bv his country as a member of
Americas War Council in the last
World War and as its commander
In chief in subsequent troubled years
must learn something Of the prin-
ciples of national defense and our
setting in the world.
1t is. therefore. my duty to speak
out of my experience. I hope that
by sober discussion Of the facts.
may contribute something OF
thought in this most fateful de-
cision.
Favor Providing Maximum
Tools for Britain.
I do not need to express again
by adherence of the whole totali-
tartan movement or its dangers to
the world. That there be no mis-
understanding let me state at the
outset that, support provision of
the maximum tools of war to Brit
ain; that I am convinced we can
give this maximum during her next
critical months only If we keep out
of this war; that putting our Navy
into action is joining this war: that
the whole European war situation
is in transformation; that America
Is as yet unprepared even for ade-
uuate defense; that our people are
not united. To go in now is neither
wise nor for the interest OF either
Britain or ourselves. In the anxiety
of the moment many do not recog-
rize the facts.
AS 7 have listened to these recent
speeches it has constantly recurred
to my mind that the problem before
Mr.. Roosevelt is far more difficult
and complex than many OF these
speakers imagined.
1t is now proposed that we should
put the American Navy into action.
That is a straightforward, under
standable proposal which boldly
makes clear the meaning of words
like conveys or patrols. That is
Joining in this war, once and for all.
From here the steps are automatic.
Our Navy must attack German sub
marines, ships and planes If it is to
be of any use To make it effective
then we must expand naval and
air bases abroad. We must equip
these bases with eXpeditionary
forces. And that is war for long
years to come.
There are, those who say we are
already in this war. That is not true.
We are in . position of risk, But
war has not been declared between
ourselves and the Axis. Diplomatic
representatives are still maintained
on both sides. Our treaties are still
In force. There is no killing of men
between us. If this war were ended
tomorrow it would not be necessary
for us to make a new peace with
Germany.
will Be at War Moment
Navy Goes Into Action.
am not arguing the spirit Of our
relations with Germany. 1 am only
discussing the situation which exists.
But 1t is a certainty that we shall
be at war the moment our Navy is
put into action. We are in the war
when we send our boys either by air
or by sea or on expeditionary forces
with an intent to shoot at the Ger
mans. Let us not coddle ourselves
by thinking otherwise.
It would be more consistent with
American honesty and American
courage for us to face the straight
issue of a declaration of war by the
Congress, as the constitution pro-
vides, than to creep into an unde-
clared war. 1t is due our people that
the Congress should vote on the real
question which underlies all this:
"Shall we declare war on Germany
or Italy or Japan?" In national
debate on that issue the whole of
the facts could be placed before the
American people and the people
could reflect their views to the Con-
gress. That question once openly
determined by the only open process
democracy knows, then our people
would accept that decision-what-
ever 1t might be. The full facts
and the truth Is the way to achieve
national unity.
We must face some hard facts.
And there is among them the trans
formation of the military and po-
itical situation abroad. There Is
our unpreparedness. There is the
practical aid that Britain now re-
uuires and requires at once. There
Is the lack of unity of our people.
Time for Sober
Appraisal of Facts.
This is no time for wishful think