Post by Diarist on Oct 28, 2015 13:17:40 GMT 1
Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden met with senior members of the US Congress this afternoon and argued for a change in the Neutrality Act. His case:
. Nobody is asking for the US involvement in any future conflict in Europe or anywhere else,
. We are asking you to make a distinction between those who start wars of conquest and the victims of this aggression,
. British interests are threatened if Italy invades Abyssinia and an Italian victory would also threaten US interests in the region,
. There are Anglo-American arrangements which could be disrupted if the Neutrality Act is passed 'as is',
. We have a joint-venture for a four-engine bomber/transport aircraft, we are worker together on a new class of aircraft-carriers, aircraft engine development, and many other projects,
. France needs help - they will be crushed by Germany if they don't receive war supplies - have you forgotten Lafayette and the Statue of Liberty?
. Nobody is asking you to fight for us but by openly supporting us, the democracies in Europe, it may deter the dictators,
. You will have to deal with Imperial Japan sooner or later. The United States can benefit from combat proven designs and doctrines.
The United States needs friends in this increasingly hostile global environment and you won't gain anything by treating peaceful democracies the same as authoritarian dictatorships. We, Britain and France, are trying to deter Italy from attacking Abyssinia. This Neutrality Act would only encourage Italy, any other psychopath in this world. An Italian invasion of Abyssinia would be only for conquest, to create a new Roman Empire. Punish aggressors by all means you feel necessary but don't treat others the same way.
. Nobody is asking for the US involvement in any future conflict in Europe or anywhere else,
. We are asking you to make a distinction between those who start wars of conquest and the victims of this aggression,
. British interests are threatened if Italy invades Abyssinia and an Italian victory would also threaten US interests in the region,
. There are Anglo-American arrangements which could be disrupted if the Neutrality Act is passed 'as is',
. We have a joint-venture for a four-engine bomber/transport aircraft, we are worker together on a new class of aircraft-carriers, aircraft engine development, and many other projects,
. France needs help - they will be crushed by Germany if they don't receive war supplies - have you forgotten Lafayette and the Statue of Liberty?
. Nobody is asking you to fight for us but by openly supporting us, the democracies in Europe, it may deter the dictators,
. You will have to deal with Imperial Japan sooner or later. The United States can benefit from combat proven designs and doctrines.
The United States needs friends in this increasingly hostile global environment and you won't gain anything by treating peaceful democracies the same as authoritarian dictatorships. We, Britain and France, are trying to deter Italy from attacking Abyssinia. This Neutrality Act would only encourage Italy, any other psychopath in this world. An Italian invasion of Abyssinia would be only for conquest, to create a new Roman Empire. Punish aggressors by all means you feel necessary but don't treat others the same way.