KEEPING PLEDGE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20567, 29 May 1941, Page 7

KEEPING PLEDGE

FREEDOM’S CAUSE ALL POSSIBLE HELP STATE OF EMERGENCY CALL FOR LOYALTY (Elec. Tel, Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. May 29, 9 a.m.) WASHINGTON, May 28. “To-day the world is divided between human slavery and human freedom, between pagan brutality and Christian ideas." stated President Roosevelt in his broadcast address last evening.

“We will not accept a Hitlerdominated world. We will accept only a world consecrated to freedom of speech and expression, of freedom of every person to worship God in his own way. We will not hesitate to take every single measure necessary to maintain our American liberties. Our Government will not hesitate to meet the challenge of Hitlerism. ‘‘We reassert the ancient American doctrine of freedom of the seas. We reassert the solidarity of the 21 American republics and the Dominion of Canada in the preservation of the independence of the hemisphere. Will Fulfil Pledges “We have pledged material support to other democracies. We shall fulfil that pledge. “We in the Americas shall decide for ourselves whether, when and where our American interests are attacked, or our security threatened. We are placing armed forces in strategic military positions. We will not hesitate to use our armed forces to repel any attack. “With profound consciousness of my responsibilities to my countrymen and my country’s cause, I to-night have issued a proclamation that an unlimited national emergency exists and requires the strengthening of our defences to the extreme limit of our national power and authority. The nation expects all individuals and groups to play full parts without stint and without selfishness.” Internal Security Mr. Roosevelt’s proclamation calls upon loyal States, loyal leaders and officials to co-operate with the civilian defence agencies and assure internal security against foreign-directed subversion, and put every community in order for the maximum productive effort and the minimum waste of unnecessary friction. It appeals to all citizens to place the nation’s needs first in mind and action, “to the end that we may mobilise and have ready for instant defensive use all the physical powers, moral strength and material resources of the nation.”

It enjoins workmen and employers to merge lesser . differences in the larger effort to ensure the survival of the only kind of Government which recognises the rights of labour and capital.

Speaking before the delivery of Mr. Roosevelt's speech, his secretary, Mr. Stephen Early, said: “I think you can say that by Wednesday morning there will no longer be any doubt as to what the national policy of this Government is.”