Dramatic Letter From President Ends Debate

Northern Advocate, 15 November 1941, Page 5

Dramatic Letter From President Ends Debate

WASHINGTON. November 14. Iu a letter which was read on the floor of the House of Representatives by the Speaker (Mr. Sam Reyburn) ina tense atmosphere, President Roosevelt said: “If the bill to revise the Neutrality Act is not carried, foreign nations, friends and enemies will misinterpret our minds and purpose. * "Failure to repeal the clauses would cause rejoicing by the Axis nations. Failure would bolster the aggressive steps in Germany and other aggressor nations. “We could look forward to enthusiastic applause in those three nations, I based on the claim that the United | States was disunited, as they have so j often professed. Would Weaken Democracies “The world is obviously watching the course of this legislation. Failure would not destroy the defence or morale of the British Empire, China and Russia, but would weaken their position, in food and munitions. “Failure would weaken our democratic situation and weaken our gi’eat i effort to produce. Strikes and stop- | pages would become less serious in the : I public mind.’’ j The vote was taken immediately ! after the President's letter had been i read. ; War By Back Door In the course of the debate, Mr. James P. Richards (Democrat-South Carolina), who led the Democratic breakaway, said it was equivalent to war by the back door and of treachery to the United States. On the other hand, Mr. John Taber (Republican-New York), said there were only two alternatives. One was to surrender and pay tribute, and submit to alien, domination, and the other was to go out and win. “I have not the slightest doubt v ’’ he added, “that when the people understand they will choose to go out and win.” Other members of the House voiced the view that passage of the amendment would be the final step in full- ! scale, all-out undeclared war. j