Evening star., 1941-11-30
Roosevelt Declares
People Are United on
u. ). Foreign Policy
Tells Senator Gillette
Public Opposes All
World Aggression
~ the Associated Press.

can crisis. President Roosevelt
warned other nations yesterday that
America is united behind his foreign
policy of opposition to aggression
anywhere on earth.
That there is debate, or that
there are statements of conflicting
opinion prior to the decisions should
not be taken by persons abroad as
an indication of lack of cohesion
among our people, though that mis-
take is sometimes made" he, said.
while there have been expressions
OF different views in regard to our
foreign policy, I have always felt
that those differences were of de-
gree but not of principle"
The President made these state
ments in a letter to Senator Gill
lette, Democrat. of Iowa. The Sena-
ator has consistently opposed the
Roosevelt foreign policy and voted
against the legislative measures de-
signed to implement it. Recently,
however, he wrote to Mr.. Roosevelt
saying the majority had spoken and
offered his support and services"
in carrying out the policy which
the majority had laid down.
Mr.. Roosevelt's reply was made
public by the Senator. Whether it
was timed to coincide with Japans
consideration of her next step was
a matter of Washington conjecture.
Given Near UItimatum.
IN this connection, however. it
was pointed out that Japan, in the
opinion of some, had been proceed
ing on the assumption that Ameri-
can public opinion does not support
the Presidents foreign policy.
AS the elimination of series OF
conferences, aimed at the mainten-
ance of the peace in the Pacific,
japanese emiSSaries here were given
a near-ultimatum several days ago,
reasserting the American policy of
opposition to conquest and aggres-
sion. The question of peace or war,
some Government spokesmen have
said, rests upon Tokio's response.
Secretary Hull and Lord Halifax,
the British Ambassador. talked over
the Far Eastern situation for nearly
an hour. Lord Halifax told reporters
the British and American Govern
ments were cooperating closely and
that it was up to Japan alone to
make the momentous choice.
At a press conference, Secretary
Hull said there we're no announce
ments to be made until Japan's de-
cision is known. He declined to
answer a question whether Jap
anese attack on Thailand would
bring on a major conflict in the
Pacific, referring his questioners to
the Army and Navy.
Gillette's Letter.
In writing to the President, Sem
ator Gillette said:
Il have been unable to give my
support to several of these tadminls-
tration enactments because of my
deep and sincere convictions as to
the unwisdom of the courses pro-
posed I have not surrendered these
convictions now, and 1 would by
word or vote reaSSert them should
the same or similar questions prop
erly come before the Congress for
review.
But, Mr.. President. the majority
Of the Congress held other views
with reference to these proposals
than were entertained by me, and
these conflicting views have founo
expression in the enactment OF the
various proposals into law.
within the past few days a maj
oritv decision was reached in the
massage of the revising and repeal
ing paragraphs of a proposal per-
tanning to the heretofore existing
Neutrality Act. In my opinion. the
action thus taken on this proposal
removes entirely from the realm OF
debate our present policies OF rela-
tionship to the aggressive activities
Of the nations adhering to the So
called tripartite pact.
"As one who opposed the action
the Congress has taken, and as one
who recognizes the need Tor tne
present unified mobilization OF all
our national strength and resources
for q victorious attainment OF the
goals for which we are now com
mitted. am taking the liberty OF
addressing this letter to you as
President of my country and COM
mander In chief of her forces, ten
dering my support and service III
anv capacity or activity where l can
be of assistance in the work which
we have before us to do and Tor the
purpose of enlisting myself and all
that have in service for the dura-
tion of the emergency"
The Presidents Answer.
The President replied:
-1 have received your very frank
letter of November 81. 1t is indeed
gratifying to have your statement
OF willingness to serve in this period
of emergency when the challenge
10 the destiny Of our country Is SO
strong.
The people of your State elected
YOU to represent them in our ma
tional councils and / would be re-
l,ictant to interrupt that duty. but
II the occasion should warrant 1t,
I would not hesitate to ask you to
place YOUR abilities at the disposal
Of your country in some other
capacity.
AS you have written. questions
q national policy are decided in
our democratic way. That there Is
debate, or that there are statements
of conflicting opinion prior to the
decision should not be taken by
persons abroad as an indication OF
lack of cohesion among our people,
though that mistake is sometimes
made. While there have been ex-
presions of different views in re-
gard to our foreign policy, I have
always felt that those differences
we're Of degree but not of principle
II have been confident that we
Americans believed in the defense
of our country and that such diff
ferences as existed concerned only
the time and place to begin that
defense or the methods to be en-
ployed to secure adequate protec-
ton to the ideals of political free
dom for which our Government has
ever striven.'