"The embargo constitutes a reversal of traditional American foreign policy; it weakens the authority of international law and the sanctity of treaties; it aids insurrection, promotes armed revolt, and encourages military aggression against lawfully constituted governments" (petition to President Roosevelt, March 1938). 148 American writers "If America raised the embargo on Spain it would not only act in its capacity as a defender of freedom and democracy in this hemisphere, it would take a decisive step in protecting one of the few remaining democracies in Europe and strike a serious blow at the Nazi plans for world domination. Moreover, raising the embargo on Spain would be an immediate and practical defense of the Catholics and Jews in Germany" (letter to President Roosevelt, January 6, 1939). 106 leading American musicians "The continued existence of the embargo serve only to aid the forces of aggression and international lawlessness which are already threatening our sister Republics of South America. As musicians devoted to the ideals of culture, democracy, and liberty, we have an especial interest in preventing the spread of fascism which has already destroyed much of the finest artistic achievement in the countries it dominates" (letter to President Roosevelt, January 23, 1939). 70 leading social workers "We believe that steps must be taken promptly to end the collaboration of the United States with the aggressor nations, a position which we unforunately hold as long as we keep an embargo on the legally elected government of the Spanish Republic" (Letter to President Roosevelt, January 8, 1939). 30 distinguished psychologists * "As scientists interested in the welfare of democracy we protest against an act which effectively imposes an embargo upon the democratic government of Spain * we trust that nothing will deter you from observing by appropriation action the overwhelming popular sentiment in the United States against this embargo act" (letter to President Roosevelt, December 31, 1938). 94 leading Americans "By establishing normal commercial relations with the government of Spain we would give new courage and hope to millions in every country whose faith in democratic governments recent have so profoundly disturbed. The United States owes it to itself, to the Spanish people, and to the security and freedom of the world to lift the embargo against the Spanish government" (letter to President Roosevelt, November 9, 1938). 92 distinguished Americans "We ask in the name of decency and humanity that this discrimination be ended as can be done without the slightest prejudice to our essential neutrality" (letter to President Roosevelt, April 6, 1938). Members National Academy Science "We believe that giving the Spanish Republic an opportunity to defend its country more effectively against the spread of fascism would be an act in de fense of world democracy and American freedom" (letter sent to President Roosevelt, April 28, 1938). Faculty Northwestern University "The embargo against Spain, whatever its original purpose, has clearly proved a failure as a measure of neutrality" (May 9, 1938). "The embargo against Spain has had the effect of aiding insurrection, and of permitting the prosecution of a war which may not only overwhelm Republican Spain but engulf democratic institutions throughout the world" May 1938).. 69 faculty members, Yale University "The members of the faculty of Yale University whose names appear below urge that immediate steps be taken to lift the embargo on the shipment of arms to the recognized government of Spain. We protest the flagrant unfairness of a policy which plainly acts to cripple the friendly democratic government of the Spanish people in its courageous struggle against the Rebels and their Fascist allies" (petition to President Roosevelt, June 26, 1938). National Federation Settlements "We urge President Roosevelt and Congress to lift the embargo. If there is any doubt about where to put it, we recommend that it be transferred to Hitler's Reich and kept there until at least the Nazi government agrees to let is persecuted fugitives take their possessions with them as some foothold in starting life afresh under freedom" (at a meeting of the government body in New York, December 4, 1938). Faculty members of Oberlin College "Because we believe in democracy and because we are opposed to fascism and because democratic Spain is a victim of fascist aggression and deserves our sympathy, and because a fascist victory in Spain would further jeopardize the peace of the world and the future of democracy, we, the undersigned members of the faculty of Oberlin College, add our names to the growing number of American citizens who ask you to lift the embargo against republican Spain" (petition to President Roosevelt, January 21, 1939). 34 faculty members, University of Illinois "We specially urge removal of embargo on sale of munitions to Spanish government, thus conforming to past and present American policy of comity and neighborliness and allowing brave men to defend on more equal terms their natural liberty and democratic institutions." Republican Members, House Foreign Affairs Committee "We have no objection to the sale of airplanes produced in this country to any nation with which we have diplomatic relations" (New York Times, February 3, 1939). STATEMENTS BY ORGANIZATIONS Young Women's Christian Association "Inasmuch as the action of the President of the United States in declaring an embargo on materials of war to Spain ** * was taken at a time when other nations were engaged in setting up a plan of nonintervention with hope of localizing the war in Spain and preventing an international conflict and Inasmuch as this nonintervention policy has not succeeded in preventing participation of outside nations in the Spanish war so that the embargo by the United States has proved discriminatory against one party of the conflict, Be it resolved that the Young Women's Christian Association request the President of the United States to raise immediately the embargo on war materials for Spain” (adopted in national convention, April 1938). Conference, Cause and Cure of War* "The 1939 conference draws attention to the tragic result of the operations of the Neutrality Act in regard to Spain. The continuation of the embargo in view of the failure of the nonintervention plan which the act of the United States was intended to strengthen has placed the United States in the position of discriminating against the legitimate government to the advantage of the opposition" (*Representing 11 organizations with 9,000,000 members. Adopted at Washington, D. C., January 1939). American Philosophical Association "There is no precedent in international law and democracy for such discrimination as the United States has employed against a friendly power. . . if Franco and his allies win in Spain there looms a serious possibility that there will soon be no more European philosophy and culture worthy of the name" (Western Division, April 1938). American Legion "We ask that some definite action be taken by our Government to lift the embargo against Spain" (Unknown Soldier Post, Paragould, Ark., January 7, 1939). New York East Annual Conference M. E. Church "Whereas, we feel the aggression of Germany and Italy in Spain is an unwarranted violation of a democratically elected government, and Whereas, we oppose aggressive warfare and Whereas, we have diplomatic relations with the regularly elected government of Spain, Be it resolved, that we encourage normal economic relations with this sister democracy to the end that she may defend herself against unwarranted aggression, and Be it further resolved that we urge the Senate Foreign Relaitons Committee to lift the embargo on Loyalist Spain" (adopted at Brooklyn, N. Y., May 17, 1938). Committee Concerted Peace Efforts "We are in wholehearted agreement with his (President Roosevelt) analysis of the growing threats of aggression, of the mounting dangers to the institutions of religion, democracy and international good faith, and of the unfortunate results of a neutrality policy which may encourage aggression and penalize its victims" (leaders of 15 national peace organizations, January 12, 1939). Labor's Non-Partisan's League "We urge the immediate lifting of the embargo against Spain, which is being used by aggressor nations to strangle our sister democracy" (Newark committee, January 12, 1939). Painters, decorators, paperhangers "The time has come to pass, when all progressive trade union movements feel it vitally necessary to stand shoulder to shoulder with our brothers in war ridden Spain. The plague of fascism is not localized in Spain, we must heed ourselves that it may never get further, and that it shall be halted forever in Loyalist Spain. "The greatest that the American trade unions can do, is to assure that the Neutrality Act is revoked, and that Spain shall, through this means, be able to strengthen itself to defeat the concerted action of the Rome-Berlin axis" (Brotherhood of Painters, Decorators, and Paperhangers of America, District Council No. 18, Brooklyn, N. Y., January 7, 1939). International Woodworkers of America "We request our elected representatives in both State and Federal Governments to nullify and appeal all existing legislation and policies interfering with shipments of arms and materials to Spain, and request that this embargo shall be lifted to allow the shipments of arms to the democratic nation of Spain" (constitutional convention, Seattle, Washington, September 12-17, 1938). National Federation of Settlements "We believe that the inconsistency and ineptitude of American policy and law run counter to the hope of peace in the world and in the preservation of democracy, we believe the embargo on Spain should be lifted now * in the name of decency and discrimination" (annual conference, Pitts burgh, June 1-5, 1938). * REPRESENTATIVE ORGANIZATIONS Amalgamated Clothing Workers of League of American Writers America American Artists' Congress American Association of Agricultural, American Communications Association League of Nations Associations, Com- Los Angeles Conference, representing 37 Mass Cooperative Co., Michigan American Federation of Teachers National Conference of Jewish Juniors American Relief Committee for the Vic- National Council of Jewish Women tims of Italian Fascism American Security League Boys Brotherhood Republic, Chicago, Central Conference of American Rabbis Committee on Social Action of the Con- National Lawyers' Guild National "Lift the Embargo" Confer- Pennsylvania Farmers' Provisional Progressive Commonwealth Federation of California Conference on Pan-American Democ- Progressive Women's Council racy Descendents of the American Revolu- Federation of Architects, Engineers, Friends of the Abraham Lincoln Bri- International Fur Workers of the N. Y. C. Juridical Association, Universality Church, Hoopeston, Ill. World Alliance for International Friendship Through the Churches International Wood Workers of Ameica Workers Alliance of New York and International Workers Order International Labor Defense Washington, D. C. Lawyers' Committee on American Re- Workmen's Sick and Death Benefit lations With Spain Young Judea, Executive Committee EDITORIAL COMMENT New York Times "It is nothing short of mad folly that we should choose deliberately to handicap, in time of need, those nations which share our deep faith in the democratic system and which hold the line of defense against the philosophy of dictatorship and tyranny which would crush all that we believe in and all that makes possible our kind of life." (March 20, 1938.) La Voce Del Popolo "In America they say that the embargo on arms for Spain represents neutrality; but instead it represents partiality. And it is clear to whoever wants to see it. . . . Military materials cannot be sent directly to Spain because there is the embargo. But Italy, Germany, and Portugal have taken it upon themselves to make these purchases for the Spanish fascists, and to even furnish credit. . . . On the other side there is no one who openly hazards to make these purchases on a large scale for Republican Spain, because the democratic nations are afraid to disturb the 'European peace' at least as long as their own skins are not touched. . . . Therefore all this embargo reduces itself to partiality, instead of neutrality. To make it impartial there should be included in the embarbo all the nations who are obviously connected with one side or the other." (Monsignor Giuseppe Ciaricchi, editor. Jan. 27, 1939.) Chicago Daily News "The action is un-American. It is neither neutral nor fair and it is as perilous as it is unnecessary." (May 14, 1938.) Greensboro (North Carolina) News "It is fairly generally assumed that the attitude of neutrality might have been changed but for a conclusion that the Spanish government was already defeated, and its forces could not, in any event, continue the struggle much longer. But they continued, and continue to resist; their territory cut in half, their food supply reduced to the extent that danger of starvation confronts twelve million people." (Nov. 16, 1938.) St. Louis (Mo.) Star-Times "In Spain the effect of our embargo on arms shipments has been to furnish Franco's nationalists with American supplies shipped through Germany and other countries, while denying these supplies to the Republican government. It is this very fact which has stimulated the present movement to lift the embargo." (May 6, 1938.) New York Herald-Tribune "It [the embargo] was originally applied to Spain, not as a device to preserve us from entanglement in the fighting, of which there has at no time been any serious danger, but as a means of aligning the United States with the British nonintervention policy. That policy is nearly dead, and it would doubtless be preferable if the United States now recovered its freedom of action by abanoning the embargoes." (May 6, 1938.) "When Mussolini threatens the French with war if they reopen the border, the threat is at least real enough to justify a pause; against the United States, on the other hand, the threat is futile, yet the United States continues to embargo exports. . . ." (Jan. 20, 1939.) Washington (D. C.) Post "Certainly it is of very dubious propriety, under international law, for this country to apply an arms embargo impartially against a friendly government and against those who seek to overthrow it by rebellion. The precedent is one which tends to encourage revolt against duly constituted authority and may rise to plague us in future. ** * And a Franco victory would make a Fascist springboard of the Iberian Peninsula, including Portugal as well as Spain, extending to the Azores, the Canary Islands and other potential air and submarine bases pointing toward South America. ** There is undoubtedly cause for concern in the inability of many Americans to see that every mile which Franco gains in Catalonia brings fascism nearer to the New World, makes its immunity from totalitarian doctrines less secure." (Jan. 15, 1939.) * * "As for us, Spain would be the ideal propagandist base for Federal agitation in Latin America directed against the United States. For having failed to see that possibility and done nothing to prevent it, indeed for having through our embargo policy acted as the unwitting allies of Germany and Italy, we may have to pay a terrific price. By ignoring the Spanish factor, years of intense and heart-breaking labors in the field of Pan-American relations may be undone." (Jan. 24, 1939.) Bethlehem (Pa.) Bulletin "What it (the embargo) did do, was to make it far more difficult for the Government of Spain to secure munitions to defend itself against a rebellion fomented and aided by European dictators who threw into Spain unlimited amounts of munitions and armies of their trained soldiery. * * The whole thing is a striking illustration of the need of thinking through these proposed laws before enacting them. We speak of hysteria among school children but we grown folks are subject to it and certainly Congress is an apt victim." (May 25, 1938.) Portland (Oreg.) Oregonian * It is "Thus the total effect has been decidedly in Franco's favor. *k a disgraceful attitude for a country to take which traditionally has aided the oppressed." (May 6, 1938.) |