Evening star., 1941-07-14
|War Far Preferable
To Hitler Victory,
Secretary Knox Says
Outspoken Cabinet
Member Denies Desire
To Force U. S. to Fight
BY EDWARD E. BOMAR,
Associated Press stan Writer.

Secretary Knox, rounding out
year as civilian head of the Navy,
expressed hope today that the policy
of aid to Britain would not lead
this country into war, but he added
that war would be infinitely prefer
able" to peace accomplished by
surrender to Hitlerism."
AS the cabinets most outspoken
champion of all-out assistance to
the British, Secretay Knox said in
an anniversary interview that Il
have been realistic enough to pur-
sue that policy wherever the pursuit
of such a policy might lead"
Il hope 1t will not lead us into
war" he continued. But in my
eyes war of defense against Naziism
would be infinitely preferable to a
peace accomplished by surrender
to Hitlerism and all that would mean
to the freedom and independence
Of the American people"
The Chicago publisher, one Of the
two Republican members of Presi-
dent Roosevelt's cabinet, chose his
words carefully in response to a re-
mark that some persons had come
to regard him as leader of a war
party"
NO sane man wants war" he said.
Il happen to belong to a school of
thinkers who regard as imperative
policy of aiding England at what
ever cost to ourselves, to promote
both our present security and future
national welfare"
He added that he did not believe
"a free, independent democratic
United States of America could long
survive in a Nazi-dominated world"
III 1t did survive" he continued,
1T would only be at the price of
either continuous war or continuous
readiness for war, which would di-
vert all our energies to the achieve
ment OF adequate national defense.
ANY man who deliberately sought
to involve his country in war for
the mere purpose of precipitating
armed conflict would have to be
crazy or malevolent to such a de-
gree as to deserve incarceration.
just year ago the Senate after
sharp debate confirmed the nomi-
nations OF Frank Knox to be NAVY
Secretary and Henry L. Stimson to
be Secretary of War. Mr.. Knox
the bluff, ruddy 1895 Republican
nominee for Vice President, met
with stronger opposition than Mr.
Stlmson, who had been President
Hoover's Secretary of State and
president Taft's Secretary of War
he told the Senate Naval Affairs
committee at the time that he re
FUSED to believe that we will actively
participate in the European Wor
10 the extent Of sending any Army
overseas" ''
AS mead OF the Navy in q wear of
most intense preparations for in
staht readiness the sea forces have
known IN peacetime. Mr.. Knox at
o. retains much of the vieor of his
Span1sh-American War Rough
Rider" days.
Praises Cabinet Colleagues,
I've never regarded Mr.. Stlmson
ana myseN as members OF a coaU-
tlon, ne said. Both of us were
actuated by the profound conviction
that the country faced a crisis 90
serious that all personal considera-
tlons must be thrust aside. when ".
were asked to contribute in anv
way to the national security.
we came here without tho
sngntest heed to any political con-
sloeratlons whatsoever. Neither at
US mas any political ambitions.
In behalf of the President and
the administration. will saw that
nave never been embarrassed in
any way or had my work as Secre.
tary OF the Navy impaired bv anv
thought of political considerations
NO one could ask more considerate
treatment than have received from
the President and my colleagues in
the cabinet"
Mr.. Knox said he felt "a great
sense OF qualification over the prog
ress made in upbuilding the NAVY
In the past year" and he ascribed
an overwhelming proportion of the
results to his professional co-work-
ers In the Navy.