Evening star., 1941-11-11
Axis MaYF Force
War on u. s.,
We||es Warns
Undersecretory Takes
Pessimistic View
Of Kurusu Talks
Earlier Armistice Day Story on
Page A-1)


Page AID
Another war may be forced on
the United States "at any mo-
ment" by either Germany or
Japan, UnderSecretary Of State
Sumner Welles warned today in
an Armistice Day appeal for
return to the ideals of Woodrow
Wilson to insure future security
of the Nation when peace comes
again.
Speaking at memorial services at
the tomb of the World War Presi-
dent in Washington Cathedral. Mr..
WelleS emphasized that the dangers
facing America now "tragically vim
dicated" the Wilson plea % years
ago for this country to play its full
part in striving to maintain peace
through a partnership of demo-
cratic nations"
Mr.. Welles recalled that President
Wilson was laid to rest amid the
sneerS of those of his opponents who
had. through appeal to ignorance, TO
passion and to prejudice. temporarl-
ly persuaded the people of our coun-
try to reject his vision, then SOL
emnly asserted:
ONLY a score of years have since
elapsed. and today the United States
finds itself in far greater peril than
it did in 1917.
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 engulf our own shores.
Half of Europe Enslaved.
"Bevond the Atlantic sinister
and pitiless conqueror has reduced
more than half Of Europe to abject
serfdom. 1t is his boast that his
system shall prevail even TO the
ends of the earth.
In the Far East the same forces
of conquest under a different gulse
are menacing the safety Of all na-
tions that border upon the Pacific
/ Although Mr.. Welles made no
further, direct reference TO the dam
ger of conflict with Japan-whlch
/ he did not mention by name-hls
words implied a pesSimistic outlook
( for the outcome of the mission OF
/ Saburo Kurusu. special japanese
envoy en- route here to assist IN
efforts TO adjust japanese e-American
differences.
The UnGersecretary emphasized
the gravity of the situation by de-
claring the tides are running fast
our people realize that at any mo-
ment war may be forced upon u.s."
Sees Long. Hard Road.
Confidently asserting there Is no
doubt of the ultimate victory of the
forces of liberty and human decen-
cy," Mr.. Welles warned at the same
time that no one can foresee how
long and how hard the road may be
which leads to that new day when
another armistice will be signed"
When that time comes, he in
sisted, the aspirations of human
beings everywhere for liberty and
freedom from fear and want" cam
not again be defrauded." He ex-
pressed confidence that then the
American people will turn again
for light and inspiration" to the
ideals of Wilson ana support the
peace objectives outlined three
months ago by President Roosevelt
and Winston Churchill following
their meeting at sea.
Can we afford again." he asked.
Ito refrain from lifting finger until
gigantic forces of destruction
threaten all of modern civilization,
and the raucous voice of criminal
paranoiac, speaking as the spokes-
/ man for these forces, from the cellar
of e Munich beer hall. proclaims as
! his set purpose the destruction of
| our own security, and the annihila-
ton of religious liberty, of political
liberty and of economic liberty
/ throughout the earth?"
/ Haywood N. Saunders, commander
of the District Department of the
American Legion, who also spoke at
the Cathedral services, proclaimed
that members of the Legion are will
ing to fight again if necessary to
preserve American liberties. I'VE
rededicate our lives to God and
country" he said.
Tribute by Disabled Veterans.
Maj. Laurence R. Melton. national
commander of the Disabled Ameri-
can Veterans of the World War. paid
tribute to the women who served
during the World War at another
program at the Washington Ca
thedral.
Speaking of those who lost their
lives, he said If they could now i'm
part a message to us, I am sure that
they would unselfishly declare that
We can best honor them by serving
the living
He discussed the dangers from
outside the Nation and warned that
I'VE cannot afford to be indifferent.
Our freedom of religion, our free
dom of speech, our freedom to as
semble, our right to petition our
representatives for the redress OF
any wrongs, as well as our freedom
of expression-without which free
doms we would no longer be Ameri-
cans-are jeopardized."
He predicted that Americans will
throw off their indifference and
carry on" Following his address a
wreath was placed at the base OF
49, .a.h oF IIJoodrou, Wilson