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Nile Kinnick correspondence, March-October 1943
1943-03-23: Page 01
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Tuesday March 23, 1943 Dear Folks, I have just finished reading the government issued booklet Peace and War, a brief record of our foreign policy from 1931 to 1941, with particular reference to our relationships with Japan. The document reeks of self-righteousness. The smug manner in which it is presented is a glaring example of this administration's capacity for self deception and intellectual dishonesty. Thank God we concluded no agreement with Japan in the year before Pearl Harbor guaranteeing peace in the Pacific. Even on our own terms it would have represented a gross misjudgment of the character of the enemy equaled only by Munich. Sec. Hull confidently explains that this gov't refused to apply sanctions against Tokyo, because it very likely would have provoked retaliation. He proudly tells of seeking contractual guarantees - as if we were dealing with an honorable neighbor! This official paper blandly admits that the executive cabinet had inside information on the course of events, well aware of its tremendous significance, and yet now claims defense for its actions in the suggestion that the people wouldn't have permitted sterner measures. How I ask you, what kind of leaders do we have
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Tuesday March 23, 1943 Dear Folks, I have just finished reading the government issued booklet Peace and War, a brief record of our foreign policy from 1931 to 1941, with particular reference to our relationships with Japan. The document reeks of self-righteousness. The smug manner in which it is presented is a glaring example of this administration's capacity for self deception and intellectual dishonesty. Thank God we concluded no agreement with Japan in the year before Pearl Harbor guaranteeing peace in the Pacific. Even on our own terms it would have represented a gross misjudgment of the character of the enemy equaled only by Munich. Sec. Hull confidently explains that this gov't refused to apply sanctions against Tokyo, because it very likely would have provoked retaliation. He proudly tells of seeking contractual guarantees - as if we were dealing with an honorable neighbor! This official paper blandly admits that the executive cabinet had inside information on the course of events, well aware of its tremendous significance, and yet now claims defense for its actions in the suggestion that the people wouldn't have permitted sterner measures. How I ask you, what kind of leaders do we have
Nile Kinnick Collection
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