Evening star., 1941-05-18
Trade Doomed
# Axis Wins,
Roosevelt Says
President Declares
Commerce to Be
Ageressor's Weapon
By JOHN C. HENRY.

Warning that international COM
merce in a German dominated world
would be employed as merely an
other weapon for further ruthless
aggression and subjugation, Presi-
dent Roosevelt last night called upon
every American for his immediate
and utmost effort" in defense of
democratic principles.
The Presidents declaration was
made in a statement signalling the
observance of National Foreign
Trade Week, but in its careful word
ing it was seemingly directed prin-
cipally at those, actual or potential
Axis appeasers, who believe the
United States could live happily in
a totalitarian world.
Although world conditions today
place an abnormal light on any con-
sideration of international trade, the
occasion of this annual observance
will be used again tonight for
an important administration pro-
nouncement when Secretary of State
Hull makes a 15-minute country
wide radio address, starting at $50
O'Clock.
AS the Nation joins in this years
observance, Mr.. Roosevelt declared
last night, I'VE know that we are
facing a worldwide crisis of truly
desperate intensity. Totalitarian ag-
gression is now reaching out into
nearly every quarter of the globe.
1t has become clear that this ag-
greSsion menaceS not only our for
eign trade and our national busi-
ness prosperity, but also the very
social and spiritual framework of
our democratic way of life. Already.
and to a very serious extent, mill
tary and economic aggression have
circumscribed the area within which
the principles upon which we base
our international commercial rela-
tions can operate"
Cities Official Nazi Pronouncements.
Talking directly then at those who
believe there could be a profitable
wedding of American and Axis the
ories of trade, the President con-
tinued:
international commerce in
world dominated by totalitarianism
would never be carried on for the
mutual benefit of all. 1t would he
vigorously controlled for the sole
advantage of those nations and rul-
ing groups which already have de-
clared their determination to con-
quer the world and to subordinate
to their own profit the welfare of
all other peoples.
That this is the fact is attested
by official or inspired German an
nouncements," he added bluntly.
Trade in such a world would be
merely another weapon for further
ruthless aggression and subjugation.
Therefore, it is idle for us to
talk of future foreign trade unless
we are ready, now, to defend the
principles upon which it is and must
be based. That defense calls most
urgently on every American for his
immediate and utmost effort.
Otherwise there can be no foreign
- oNI Va SAlS Oii 4oAl ONl Ll1Ot
under democratic principles"
Progress In Rebuilding Commerce.
Taking occasion to speak well of
efforts for broadened Pan-American
trade relations, the President con-
cluded:
During the past seven years the
United States has made real prog
ress toward the rebuilding of world
commerce on the principles of mu-
tual benefit, fair dealing and friendly
cooperation among nations. De-
spite the economic and spiritual
blackout of certain countries, we
are continuing to make progress
toward this objective in cooperation
with our good neighbors to the
south and elsewhere.
Both now, and after the emer-
gency shall have passed, the United
States must continue its leadership
in the preservation and promotion
of liberal economic policies. Only
through that leadership can this
country fulfill its responsibility in
the rebuilding of a world economy
from the chaos into which it has
been plunged cy destructive trade |
restrictions, born largely of greed |
and unreasoning fear, and by ruth
less aggression"
Secretary Hull worked yesterday |
on his speech, expected to be an |
(See ROOSEVELT, Page A-18)