U.S. Will Be Neutral, Roosevelt Says

Northern Advocate, 5 September 1939, Page 6

U.S. Will Be Neutral, Roosevelt Says

WASHINGTON, September 3.

In the course of a broadcast address this evening, President Roosevelt said: “Until early* this morning I had hoped against hope that a miracle would prevent the devastating war which today, unhappily, is a fact. “It is, of course, impossible to predict the future. When peace is broken anywhere, the peace of all countries is endangered. “Let no man or woman thoughtlessly or falsely talk of sending American armies to foreign fields. There is now being prepared a proclamation of our neutrality.

“I Hate War.”

“This nation will remain a neutral nation, but I, cannot ask that every American shall remain neutral in ; thought as well. “Even a neutral has the right to take account of facts. Even a neutral cannot be asked to close his mind or conscience.

“I have said many times that I have seen war .and that I hate war. I say that again and again.

“I hope the United States will slay out of this war. I believe it will. As long as it remains in my power to prevent it, there will be no blackouts of peace in the United States.

Profiteering* Not Moral.

“I cannot prophesy the economic effects of this new war on the United States, but I say that no American has the moral right to be a profiteer .at the expense either of his fellow-citizens or of men, women and children who are living and dying amid the war in Europe.”

Apparently the proclamation invoking the Neutrality Act will not be issued until the United States is officially notified of the British and French decision to go to war, which is likely to be delayed by the Sunday and Monday holidays.

The proclamation will immediately cut off British and French

aeroplanes here.

A special meeting is called for 2 p.m. on Monday, and the subject is certain to be discussed. Involved Sooner or Later.

A special reporter of the Associated Press, after touring the traditionally isolationist Mid-West, writes:

“A vast dread of war, yet an almost fatalist acceptance of the idea that sooner or later America will become involved, is plainly evident in the farm belt.

“Bankers, politicians, store clerks and service station workers all express the same thought. “We do not want war, but we will probably be in there fighting before it is finished. Our sympathies lie naturally with Britain and France. “Just let London and Paris be bombed* beat a few drums, and a tremendous war sentiment can be whipped up overnight.” This was written before the torpedoing of the liner Athenia shocked America.

A message from St. Johns, Newfoundland, says a United States coastguard cutter landed the Secretary of the Treasury (Mr Henry Morgenthau - ), who is flying to Washington immediately.