CALL ACCEPTED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 July 1940, Page 5

CALL ACCEPTED

MR ROOSEVELT’S ADDRESS TO PARTY ON NOMINATION FOR THIRD TERM. TRUST IN GOOD FAITH OF AMERICANS. I . (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) WASHINGTON, July 19. President Roosevelt, addressing the Democratic Party Convention, accepted nomination. lie said: “It is with ;i very full heart that I speak tonight. 1 must confess I do so with mixed feelings—because I find myself, as almost everyone does sooner or later in his lifetime —in conflict between a deep personal desire for retirement on the one hand and that quiet, invisible thing called conscience on the other. . “Because there are self-appointed commentators and interpreters, who will seek to misinterpret or question my motives, I speak in a somewhat personal vein, and I must trust to the good faith and common sense of the American people to accept my own good faith—and do their own interpreting. “When in 1936 I was chosen by voters for the second time as President, it was my firm intention to turn over the responsibilities of government to other hands at the end of my term. That conviction remained with me. Eight years in the Presidency, following a period of bleak depression and covering one world crisis after another, would normally entitle any man to the relaxation which would come from honourable retirement.

“During the spring of 1939 world events made it clear to all but the blind or partisan that a great war in Europe had become not merely a possibility but a probability and that such a war would of necessity deeply affect the future of this nation. When the conflict first broke out last September, it was still my intention to announce clearly and simply that under no conditions would I accept re-election. This fact was well known to my friends, and I think understood by many citizens. DUTY PERCEIVED. “As soon as it became evident, however, that such a public statement on my part would be unwise from the point of view of sheer public interest, as President of the United States it was my duty, with the aid of Congress, to preserve our neutrality, shape our programme of defence to meet rapid changes, to keep domestic affairs adjusted to shifting world conditions and sustain the policy of good neighbourliness. “Thinking solely of the national good and of the international scene I came to the reluctant conclusion that such a declaration should not be made before the national convention. “It was my obvious duty to maintain the utmost influence of this mighty nation in our effort to prevent the spread of war and sustain by all legal means those Governments threatened by other Governments, which rejected the principles of democracy. “Swifty-moving foreign events made necessary swift action at home and beyond the seas. Plans for national defence had to be expanded and adjusted to meet new forms of warfare. The welfare of American citizens had to be safeguarded in many foreign danger zones. National unity in the United States became a crying essential in face of the development of unbelievable types of espionage and international treachery. Every day that passed called for the postponement of personal plans and partisan debate till the latest possible moment. The normal conditions under which I would have' made a public declaration of my personal desires were gone.

"Like any other man I am complimented by the honour you have done me. but I know you will understand the spirit in which I say that not the call of the party alone would prevail upon me to accept re-election. The real decision in these circumstances is not an acceptance of nomination, but rather an ultimate willingness to serve if chosen by the electorate. Many considerations enter this decision. TOTAL DEFENCE. “During the past few months, with Congressional approval, I have been taking steps to implement the total defence of America, and I cannot forget that in carrying out this programme I have drafted into the nation's service many men and women, taking them from important private occupations and calling them suddenly from their homes and businesses. I have asked them to leave their own work and contribute their skill and experience to the cause of their nation. As head of their Government I have asked them to do this regardless of party and personal convenience. “They came; they have answered the call, every single one —without a single exception—and have come to Washington to serve. But they alone could not be enough to meet the needs of the times. Just as a system of national defence based on manpower alone is insufficient for adequate defence, so also planes, guns and tanks are wholly insufficient unless they are implemented by the power o£ men trained to use them." REGIMES OF TYRANNY DENOUNCED BY PRESIDENT. THE AMERICAS CLEARLY ENDANGERED. LONDON. July 19. Referring to the international situation, states an American report, Mi- Roosevelt described the war as no ordinary war, but as a revolution in which dictatois sought not to set men free but to impose on them their own conception of freedom. Personal rights and freedom which the Americas and other democratic nations cherished were clearly endangered by what was happening on the Continent. Mr Roosevelt dealt forcefully with regimes of tyranny, which he described as the oldest form of known government. :'.nd went on to comment that Americans would never willingly sacrifice anything vital to their security. At the same time it was necessary to

adjust the policy of the country to meet any threats to that security. Mr Roosevelt referred to -,his own efforts to prevent the spread of the war, and added that he would continue to do all in his power if returned to further that object. In his concluding remarks Mr Roosevelt described events today as the greatest crisis in history, a crisis in which freedom opposed slavery, in which all that they as Americans held dear was threatened with destruction, and in which the ideal of justice was opposed by the ideal of might being right Those were the issues which necessitated careful attention to the foreign policy of the United States. At the end of his speech, delegates cheered Mr Roosevelt foi 10 minutes.

THE VICE=PRESIDENCY MR H. WALLACE NOMINATED. CHICAGO. July 19. The Democrats nominated the Secretary of Agriculture. Mr Henry Wallace, as vice-president.