Evening star., 1944-08-13
Text Of Presidents Bremerton Speech:

bremerfO
The first little town we had seen
In Alaskan waters and the first trees
made me think of the coasts of
Maine and Newfoundland.
We were told that q number of
officers and men at this and other
ports are considering settling in
Alaska after the war is over. I hope
that this is so, because the develop
ment of Alaska has only been
scratched and it is still the coun-
try of the pioneer. Only q small
part of its mineral resources have
been explored and there is, of
course, an abundance of fish and
game and timber, together with
great possibilities for agriculture.
Like Northern Europe.
I could not help remembering
that the climate, the crops and
other resources are not essentially
different from Northern Europe
Norway, Sweden and Finland-and
the people of these countries, in
spite OF the cold, and, in winter,
the darkness, have brought their
civilizations to a high and pros
porous level.
On my return to Washington l
am going to set up a study of Alaska
and the Aleutian Islands as place
to which many veterans of this war
especially those who do not have
strong roots in their own homes,
can go to become pioneers. 1t is
a land with small population but
which I am convinced has great
opportunities for those who are
willing to work and to help build
up all kinds of new things in new
lands.
This trip has given me a chance
to talk over the social and economic
future Of the Hawaiian Islands with
Gov. Stainback and the future of
the people of Alaska with Gov.
Gruening. He asked me to assure
you that the tan which I have ac-
quired in the last few days has
come from the Alaska sun. Near
Juneau I played hockey for three
hours, went fishing and caught one
hallbut and one founder.
Japan Cannot Be Trusted"
Speaking again of the future of
the defense of the Pacific and the
use of its strong points in order to
prevent attacks on us-you who live
IN the Pacific Northwest have real
lied that line for sea and air
navigation following the great circle
course from Puget Sound to Siberia
and Northern China passed verv
close to the Alaskan Coast and
thence westward along the line of
the Aleutian Islands.
From the point of view of national
defense, therefore, it is essential
that our control of this route shall
be undisputed Everybody in ST.
IBERIA and China knows that we
have no ambition to acquire land on
the continent of Asia. We as a peo-
pie are utterly opposed to aggression
or sneak attacks-but we as a peo-
pie are inslstent that other ma
tons must not, under any circum-
stances. through the foreseeable
future, commit such attacks against
the United States. Therefore. it is
essential that we be fully prepared
to prevent them for all time to come.
The word and the honor of japan
cannot be trusted.
Ihat is simple statement from
the military, naval and air point of
view. But with the end of a Japa-
nese threat there is an excellent out
look for a permanent peace in the
whole of the Pacific area. It is
therefore, natural and proper for us
to think OF the economic and COM
merclal future. 1t is logical that
we should foresee great inter
change OF commerce between our
shores and those of Siberia and
Chlna-and in this commercial de-
velopment Alaska and the Aleutlan
Islands become automatic stepping
stones for trade, both by water and
by cargo planes. And this means
the automatic development of trans
portation to Alaska via British CO.
lumbla and as far north as the
Yukon.
Alaskan Route Big Help.
1t is as long as 10 years ago that
L talked with Mr.. Mackenzie King
Prime Minister of Canada. in regard
TO the development of highways and
air routes and even a railroad to
Alaska via British Columbia and
the Yukon. Great interest in both
nations was aroused but it took the
war to get quick action.
Today the Alcan highway is prac-
tlcally completed and an air route
to Fairbanks enables us to deliver
thousands of planes to our allv
Russla, by way of Alaska, Bering
Straits and Siberia.
These planes are an important
factor in the brilliant and brave ad-
vance of the Russian armies on
their march to Berlin. And I might
observe also that our close relations
and true friendship with Canada
during these years has proved to
be an illustrious example of working
hand in hand with your neighbor
for the general good.
South of the Alaska -Aleutians
route, the use of island groups must
also be considered for defense and
for commerce in getting to and from
the American and Asiatic CONT
nents. We understand at last the
of the Hawaiian Islands.
1t is important that we have other
bases-forward bases nearer to
Japan than they lie.
The same thing is true in regard