Evening star., 1941-01-06
Continued From First Page.)

went past. Today, thinking of
our children and their children,
we oppose enforced isolation for
ourselves or for any part of the
Americas.
Quarter Century of Wars
Proved Determination.
That determination of ours was
proved, for example, during the
quarter century of wars following
the French Revolution.
While the Napoleonic struggles
did threaten interests of the
United States because of the
French foothold in the West In
dies and in Louisiana, and while
we engaged in the War of 1872
to vindicate our right to peace
full trade, it is, nevertheless, clear
that neither France nor Great
Britain nor any other nation
was aiming at domination of the
whole world.
In like fashion from 1915 to
19l4-99 years-no single war in
Europe or in Asia constituted a
real threat against our future or
against the future of any other
American nation.
Except in the Macmillan inter-
lude in Mexico, no foreign power
sought to establish itself in this
hemisphere; and the strength of
the British fleet in the Atlantic
has been a friendly strength. 1t
is still friendly strength.
Even when the World War
broke out in 1914, it seemed to
contain only small threat of
danger to our own American
future. But, as time went on,
the American people began to
visualize what the downfall of
democratic nations might mean
to our own democracy.
We need not over-emphasize
imperfections in the peace of
Versailles. We need not harp on
failure of the democracies to
deal with problems of world re-
construction. We should remem-
ber that the peace of 1919 was far
less unjust than the kind of
"pacification" which began even
before Munich, and which is
being carried on under the new
order of tyranny that seeks to
spread over every continent to-
day. The American people have
unalterably set their faces against
that tyranny.
Every realist knows that the
democratic way of life is at this
moment being directly assailed
in every part of the world
assailed either by arms, or by
secret spreading of poisonous
propaganda by those who seek to
destroy unity and promote dis
cord in nations still at peace.
Pattern of Democratic
Life BIOtted Out.
During 16 months this assault
has blotted out the whole pattern
of democratic life in an appall-
ing number of independent ma
tions, great and small. The as
sailants are still on the march,
threatening other nations, great
and small
Therefore, as your President,
performing my constitutional
duty to give to the Congress in
formation of the state of the
Union," I find it necessary to
report that the future and the
safety of our country and of our
democracy are overwhelmingly
involved in events far beyond our
borders.
Armed defense of democratic
existence is now being CALAMITY
waged in four continents. If
that defense fails, all the popu-
lation and all the resources of
Europe, Asia, Africa and Aus
tralasia will be dominated by the
conquerors. The total of those
populations and their resources
greatly exceeds the sum total of
the population and resources of
the whole of the Western Hemi-
phere-many times over.
In times like these, it is imma-
ture-and incidentally untrue
for anybody to brag that an un-
prepared America. single handed
and with one hand tied behind its
back. can hold off the whole
world.
No realistic American can ex-
pect from dictator's peace in
ternational generosity, or return
of true independence, or world
disarmament, or freedom of ex-
preston, or freedom of religion
or even good business.
Such a peace would bring no
security for us or for our neigh
bors. Those, who would give up
essential liberty to purchase a
little temporary safety, deserve
neither liberty nor safety"
AS a nation we may take pride
in the fact that We are soft
hearted; but we cannot afford to
be soft-headed.
We must always be wary of
those who with sounding brass
and tinkling cymbal preach the
ism" of appeasement.
We must especially beware of
that small group of selfish men
who would clip the wings of the
American eagle in order to
feather their own nests.
l have recently pointed out
how quickly the tempo of modern
warfare could bring into our very
midst the physical attack which
We must expect if the dictator
nations win this war.
Much Has Been Learned
From Lessons of Past.
There is much loose talk of our
immunity from immediate and
direct invasion from across the
seas. Obviously, as long as the
British Navy retains its power, no
SIIch 6apopr eyiStc EVpn if there