Evening star., 1941-11-12
Far East Peril
Growing Daily,
We||es Warns
Armistice Message
Pleads for Return to
Ideals of Wilson

| A warning by Undersecretary OF
State Welles that waves OF con-
quest in the Far East as we'll as
in Europe are daily growing more
threatening to the United States
served today to emphasize the grav-
ity of efforts to reach a war-averting
understanding with Japan.
AT any moment war may be
forced upon us" Mr.. Welles declared
in an Armistice Day appeal yester-
day for a return to the ideals Of
Woodrow Wilson to insure future
security for America through full
participation in a partnership OF
democratic nations" to preserve
peace when it comes again.
Earlier yesterday. President Roose-
welt, speaking at Armistice Day
exercises under auspices of the
American Legion at the Arlington
Amphitheater, declared that Amer
leans will fight eternally" to pre-
serve their liberties. 1t is in our
charge now he said, "as 1t was
Americas charge after the Civil
War, to see to it that these dead
shall not have died in vain"
Armistice Day also was widely OBJ
served at many services throughout
the city.
Peril Greater Than In 1917.
Speaking at memorial services
before the tomb of the first World
War President in Washington Ca
thedral. Undersecretary Welles said
Mr.. Wilson's plea that this country S
security depended on it doing its
full part to help preserve Just
world peace had been "tragically
and swiftly vindicated' by the
course of events.
To-day the United States finds
itself in far greater peril than 1t
did in 1917" he asserted. The waves
of world conquest are breaking high
both in the east and in the west.
They are threatening, more
nearly each day that passes, to en-
gulf our own shores.
Beyond the Atlantic sinister
and pitiless conquerol has reduced
more than half of Europe to abject
serfdom. 1t is his boast that his sys-
tenn shall prevail even unto the ends
of the earth.
I'm the Far East the same forces
Of conquest under a different guise
are menacing the safety Of all ma
tions that border upon the Pacific y
This obvious reference to Japan
carried an ominous implication.
coming as it did in the midst of
avowed efforts to adjust Japanese
American differences.
Compromise Hoped For.
Hope for a compromise under
standing being reached with the
japanese that would prevent a clash
in the Pacific appears now to hang
on the mission of Saburo Kurusu,
special japanese envoy en- route to
the United States to assist Ambas-
sador Kichisaburo Nomura in dis
cussions with the State Department.
The proposals he is presumed to be
bringing from Toxic are expected
to provide a basis for a show
down."
Mr.. Welles made clear there
would be no backing down by this
country in pursuing its defense
policy by aiding Great Britain,
Russia and China.
The American people" he said,
"are pledged to defend their free
dom and their ancient rights against
every form Of aggression. to spare
no effort and no sacrifice in bring
ing to pass the final defeat Of
Hitlerism and all that evil term
implies"
Maj. Lawrence Melton, national
commander of the Disabled Ameri-
can Veterans of the World War. at
another Cathedral Armistice Day
service, warned freedom was in
danger here.
Our freedom Of religion. our
freedom OF speech. our freedom to
assemble. our right to petition our
representatives for the redress OF
any wrongs, as well as our freedom
of expression-without which free
| dom we would no longer be Ameri-
canS-are jeopardized.' he declared
He warned against indifference, but
predicted Americans would throw
this of and carry on"