50
Press Releases, vol. XIII, p. 162
Statement by President
Roosevelt, August 31, 1935
I have given my approval to S. J. Resolution
173—the neutrality legislation which passed the Congress last week.
271
DOCUMENTS
I have approved this joint resolution because
it was intended as an expression of the fixed desire of the Government and the
people. of the United States to avoid any action which might involve us in war.
The purpose is wholly excellent, and this joint resolution will to a
considerable degree serve that end.
It provides for a licensing system for the
control of carrying arms, et cetera, by American vessels; for the control of
the use of American waters by foreign submarines; for the restriction of travel
by American citizens on vessels of belligerent nations; and for the embargo of
the export of arms, et cetera, to both belligerent nations.
The latter section terminates at the end of
February 1936. This section requires further and more complete consideration
between now and that date. Here again the objective is wholly good. It is the
policy of this Government to avoid being drawn into wars between other nations,
but it is a fact that no Congress and no Executive can foresee all possible
future situations. History is filled with unforeseeable situations that call
for some flexibility of action. It is conceivable that situations may arise in
which the wholly inflexible provisions of section I of this act might have
exactly the opposite effect from that which was intended. In other words, the
inflexible provisions might drag us into war instead of keeping us out. The
policy of the Government is definitely committed to the maintenance of peace
and the avoidance of any entanglements which would lead us into conflict. At
the same time it is the policy of the Government by every peaceful means and
without entanglement to cooperate with other similarly minded governments to
promote peace.
In several aspects further careful
consideration of neutrality needs is most desirable, and there can well be an
expansion to include provisions dealing with other important aspects of our
neutrality policy which have not been dealt with in this temporary measure.