HUMAN RIGHTS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 74, 8 January 1941, Page 3

HUMAN RIGHTS

THE MEANING OF FREEDOM;

MR ROOSEVELT’S MESSAGE. (United Press Association—Copyright) WASHINGTON, January 6. In his message to Congress President Roosevelt said:— “I address you at a moment which is unprecedented, because never before has American security been as seriously threatened from without as it is today. The United States as a nation has at all times maintained opposition to any attempt to lock us in behind ah ancient Chinese wall while the procession of civilisation went past. Today, thinking of our children and their children, we oppose enforced isolation for ourselves or any part of the Americas.

“We have no need to over-emphasise the imperfections of the peace of Versailles, and we need not harp on the failure of the democracies to deal with the problems of world reconstruction. We should remember that the peace of 1919 was far less unjust than the kind of i “pacification” which began even before Munich, and which is being carried on under the new order of a tyranny that seems to spread over every continent.

“To-day, American people have unalterably set their faces against that tyranny. Every realist knows that the democratic way of life at this moment is being directly assailed throughout the world. During the last 16 months this assault has blotted out the whole pattern of democratic life in an appalling number of independent nations, great and small. The assailants are still on the march, threatening other nations, great and small. “The future and the safety of our country and our democracy are overwhelmingly involved in events far beyond our borders. Armed defence of democratic existence is now being gallantly waged on four continents. If that defence fails, all the populations and all the resources of Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and New Zealand will be dominated by the conquerors. It ;s immature, and incidentally, untrue for anybody to brag that unprepared America single-handed can hold off the whole world.

“Let us say to the democracies: We Americans are vitally concerned in your defence and freedom.. We are putting forth our energies, resources, and organising powers to give you strength to regain and maintain a free world. We shall send you ever-increas-ing numbers of ships, aeroplanes, tanks, and guns. This is our purpose and our pledge in fulfilment of' this purpose.

“We will not be intimidated by threats by the dictators that they will regard as a breach of international law and an act of war our aid to the democracies. Such is not an act of war, even if a dictator should unilaterally proclaim it such.

“When the dictators are ready to make war upon us they will not wait for an act of war on our part. “I have called for personal sacrifice. I have been assured of the willingness of almost all Americans to respond. Part of the sacrifice means the payment of greater taxation. • “We look forward to a world founded on four essential human freedoms:! (1) freedom of speech throughout the world; (2) freedom for every person to worship God in his own way throughout the world; (3) freedom from want, which, translated in world terms, means economic understanding and security for every nation and healthy peace time life for people throughout the world; (4) freedom from fear, which, translated in world terms, means a world-wide reduction of armaments to such a point and ill such a thorough fashion that no nation will be in'a position to commit an act of physical aggression against any neighbour.

“That is no vision' of a distant millennium. It is a definite basis for a kind of world attainable in our time and generation. “That kind of world is the very antithesis Of the so-called new order of tyranny .which the dictators seek to create.

“The world order we seek is the cooperation of free countries working together in friendly, civilised society. “This nation has placed its destiny in the hands, heads, and hearts of its millions of free men and women, its faith in freedom under God’s guidance. “Freedom means the supremacy of human rights everywhere. Our support goes to those who struggle to gain those rights or to keep them. Our strength is in our unity of purpose. “For that high concept there can be no end save victory.”