Evening star., 1941-02-06
Text of Col. Lindberghs Statement
Flyer Renews His Opposition to Leose-Lend Measure
Telling Senators He Doesn't Believe Britain Can Win
BY the Associated Press.

pared by Col. Charles A. Lind
bergh for his appearance today
before the Senate Foreign Reid
tions Committee, considering the
British aid bill, jollo,DS.
In the hope that it will save time
and add to clarity, have attempt
ed to outline briefly my reasons for
opposition to this bill. In general,
have two. oppose it, first, because
I believe it is step away from the
system of government in which most
of us in this country believe Sec
ondly, I oppose it because think
it represents a policy which will
weaken rather than strengthen our
Nation.
The first point is simply my opin-
ion as an American citizen. The
second is closely connected with
the development of aviation as a
factor in modern warfare. 1t Is this
second point, If you will permit me,
that would like to discuss. I shall
have to speak with the utmost
frankness in order to make my posi-
ton clear. If my discussion seems
materialistic, it is because war is
materialistic and must be met, at
least for the moment, with material
measures No one deplores this fact
more than I. Possibly If our outlook
had been more spiritual during the
years of peace, 1t would not have to
be so material tOday.
Prefers Negotiated Peace.
And here I would like to say that
I have never taken the stand that
it makes no difference to us who
wins this war in Europe. 1t does
make a difference to us, great
difference. But do not believe that
it is either possible or desirable
for us in America to control the out
come of European wars. When I am
asked which side I would like to
have win, it would be very easy for
me to say 1.-The English" But, gentle
men, an English victory, If it were
possible at all, would necessitate
years of war and an invasion of
the continent Of Europe.
I believe this would create pros
tration, famine, and disease in EN-
rope-and probably in America
such as the whole world has never
experienced before. This is why say
that I prefer a negotiated peace to
a compete victory by either side.
This bill is obviously the most
recent step in a policy which at
tempts to obtain security for Ameri-
ca by controlling internal conditions
in Europe The policy of depicting
our own forces to aid England is
based upon the assumption that
England will win this war.
Doesn't Believe Britain Can Win.
Personally, I do not believe that
England is in position to win the
war. II she does not win, or unless
our aid is used in negotiating a
better peace than could otherwise
be obtained, we will be responsible
for futilely prolonging the war and
adding to the bloodshed and devasta-
tion in Europe, particularly among
the democracies. In that case, the
only advantage We can gain by our
action lies in whatever additional
time we obtain to prepare ourselves
for defense.
But instead of consolidating our
own defensive position in America,
we are sending a large portion of
our armament production abroad.
In the case Of aviation, for in
stance, we have sent most of it, yet
our own air forces are in deplorable
condition for lack of modern equip
ment. The majority of the planes
we now have are obsolescent on the
standards of modern warfare.
This bill even authorizes the
transfer of the equipment that our
air forces now possess. From the
standpoint of aviation, at least. I
believe this policy weakens our Sc
curity in America. In order to make
this point clear, l would like to
touch briefly upon the aviation
situation in Europe.
Reich Natural Air Power.
During the study made of Euro
pean aviation in 1886, 1887 and 1888
l was forced to the conclusion that
Germany was the natural air power
of Europe, just as England is the
natural sea power. l based this
conclusion upon combination of
factors, including geographical and
meteorological conditions, national
psychology, ability in the design,
manufacture and operation of air.
craft. and upon a comparison of
existing European air forces and
manufacturing facilities.
concluded that the United States
was the only nation in the world
capable of equaling or excelling Ger
many in aviation. But, since we
in America had specialized in COM
mercial aviation and neglected mil
itary aviation, it was obvious to me
that Germany had lead in mill
tary aviation which could not be
overcome in less than several years.
I believe that the campaigns and
developments of the war have borne
out these conclusions.
Semi circle Around Britain.
At the present moment, Germany
controls air bases on the continent
of Europe which extend almost in
copoi orN,t,,l nr;%;.l,