Details
HOOVER, Herbert. Typed letter signed ("Herbert Hoover") to former Secretary of State Bainbridge Colby, n.p., 23 December 1937. 1 page, 4to (10½ x 7¼ in.), on Hoover's personal stationery, in fine condition.
HOOVER EXPRESSES ANXIETY OVER AMERICAN RELATIONS WITH JAPAN
As Japan moved agressively into China and Adolf Hitler prepared his military for its blitzkrieg operations against Europe, former President Herbert Hoover grew increasingly concerned that the United States would be drawn into conflict. On December 12, 1937, the Japanese attacked the American gunboat Panay causing a flurry of statements and newspaper articles which demanded retaliation. Here, Hoover responds to remarks made by former Presidential candidate Alfred Landon: "I do not like the way this Japanese situation is framing up. Certainly Mr. Landon has no authority from any citizen or the Republican Party to give a blank check to any President to take the United States into war." He asserts that calmer heads need to prevail: "As you know there are plenty of ways that we can establish our honor and our dignity without going to war over questions of this sort. I am not particularly a pacifist, but I have felt that war should be reserved as the answer to assaults upon our national freedom and this alone". Ultimately, Franklin Roosevelt avoided an aggressive response to the Panay affair. Hoover remained opposed to any action which might draw the United States into World War II until the Japanese attack upon Pearl Harbor which motivated him to support a military response.
HOOVER EXPRESSES ANXIETY OVER AMERICAN RELATIONS WITH JAPAN
As Japan moved agressively into China and Adolf Hitler prepared his military for its blitzkrieg operations against Europe, former President Herbert Hoover grew increasingly concerned that the United States would be drawn into conflict. On December 12, 1937, the Japanese attacked the American gunboat Panay causing a flurry of statements and newspaper articles which demanded retaliation. Here, Hoover responds to remarks made by former Presidential candidate Alfred Landon: "I do not like the way this Japanese situation is framing up. Certainly Mr. Landon has no authority from any citizen or the Republican Party to give a blank check to any President to take the United States into war." He asserts that calmer heads need to prevail: "As you know there are plenty of ways that we can establish our honor and our dignity without going to war over questions of this sort. I am not particularly a pacifist, but I have felt that war should be reserved as the answer to assaults upon our national freedom and this alone". Ultimately, Franklin Roosevelt avoided an aggressive response to the Panay affair. Hoover remained opposed to any action which might draw the United States into World War II until the Japanese attack upon Pearl Harbor which motivated him to support a military response.