The Wilmington Morning Star

WOODRING VOICES WAR POLICY STAND

Former Secretary Of War Says He Has Always Been A Non-Interventionist

TOPEKA, Kas., July 9.-(P)-

Harry H. Woodring, who resigned as secretary of war June 20 to make way for Henry L. Stimson, said tonight, "I have always been, I am now, and expect to remain a non-interventionist."

"If the reaction from my leaving the War department as a known non-interventionist has caused modification of some policies and sobered some of those provocative and meddling advisers of the administration who would strip our own defenses, then I regret that I had only one set of guts to sacrifice on the altar of public service," he added in a prepared address.

Woodring spoke at a chamber of commerce dinner welcoming him and his family back to Kansas after seven and one-half years in Washington. His talk was broadcast over a national network.

The former secretary made no mention of his letter of resignation to President Roosevelt, a communication the White House said was "too personal" to release. But Woodring made plain that his views on America's war position differed radically from those of some administration members.

"I am a strong advocate of keeping this country out of recurring European wars," he said. "I hold it is not necessary for America to provoke antagonisms with any peoples because their nation chooses one form of government over another.

"We naturally believe in and are sympathetic to the democracies of the world. But as they wage war, our aid should not be determined upon the issue of whether it be a defensive war to maintain their war-won empires; or an offensive one to maintain a European balance of power; or even if moral or social problems of European peoples be involved; our aid should be generous and upon a strict basis of cash and carry-wheat, pork, arms and airplanes alike-but aid only to the point that the sale does not jeopardize the defenses of our own country.

"There need be no first line of defense beyond our possessions if we refrain from provoking belligerency with any of the warring nations of this world.

"What is our quarrel with any power in the Orient, the Far or Near East, Europe or Asia? We have all we can do to mind our own business, and prepare like hell to insulate this hemisphere from war.

"A neutral America, with a friendly attitude to all nations, backed up by a powerfully prepared army and navy, is an America that has anticipated the path of wisdom and the path of peace."