The Pittsburgh Press (April 25, 1941)
TIME TO STOP AID SINKINGS, WILLKIE SAYS
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Declares people will back action if administration gives facts
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Wendell L. Willkie, 1940 Republican presidential nominee, demanded in Pittsburgh today that the federal administration tell the “full facts” about the reported sinking of U.S. materials bound for Britain and that immediate steps should be taken to stop these sinkings.
He said in an interview:
I believe that first the administration should inform the country fully as to the facts of the sinkings. We should be given the correct figures.
Then we should be informed by naval and military authorities what methods should be adopted to stop these sinkings and we should follow their recommendations.
The time is past due for doing something about these sinkings. There is no point in us working night and day to produce materials to aid Britain and then have them go to the bottom of the sea.
Situation is serious
I regard the situation as extremely serious and I believe the American people as a whole can be brought to a realization of that if the full facts are given to them.
Making his first visit since the presidential campaign, Mr. Willkie was in the city to speak tonight to a dinner opening the YMCA financial campaign.
Escorted by Charles J. Graham, president of the Pittsburgh & West Virginia Railway and general chairman of the YMCA campaign, Mr. Willkie gave interviews at the William Penn Hotel shortly after his arrival here.
To queries from reporters as to his attitude on the reported sinkings and whether he favored sending naval units to convoy ships carrying aid to Britain, Mr. Willkie said:
I’ve been reading in the papers for several days that a substantial portion of the war supplies we have been shipping to Great Britain have been sunk, one estimate running as high as 40%.
I read with much interest the statements of Secretary Hull and Secretary Knox last night to the effect that something must be done to stop these sinkings.
With that, I am heartily in accord.
Won’t decide tactics
Mr. Willkie declined, however, to express an opinion on whether the U.S. Navy should send convoys with the Britain-bound ships or whether other tactics should be employed.
I am one of those who believe that America will not be able to carry on its present form of democratic government if democracy goes down in the rest of the world.
I think the administration should not follow public opinion, but should lead it, and I believe that when a decision is made as to what we should do, the people will be behind it.
Favors defense spending
To questions about the proposed new taxes, Mr. Willkie said:
The administration and Congress should spend every cent necessary for national defense, but it should be absolutely parsimonious in the appropriation of money for purposes other than defense.
The new taxes will place a tremendous burden upon the people. Unquestionably, there will be a lower standard of living and every item of expense, other than expense for defense, which can be eliminated should be eliminated.
Mr. Willkie said there has been a steady improvement in defense preparations.
Should have begun earlier
Naturally there has been a lag. Defense should have been started earlier.
The Republican leader said his proposed speaking tour of the Midwest, and other sections represented in Congress by isolationists, would “depend on developments.”
That has not been determined.
Mr. Willkie said he has prepared an article for a national magazine which will answer the isolationist speeches of Col. Charles A. Lindbergh.
I thought it was worthwhile to answer him because I think he has made the most persuasive arguments of any of the isolationists, although I thoroughly disagree with him.
Speech to be broadcast
Mr. Willkie’s speech tonight, which will deal with the problems faced in the future by American youth, will be broadcast over Station KDKA from 8 to 8:30.
Governor Arthur H. James, who took the slump for Mr. Willkie last year after his own candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination failed, was in the hotel during Mr. Willkie’s press conference.
Mr. Graham said no plans had been made for the two to meet, although he had invited the Governor to attend tonight’s dinner. Mr. James, who spoke at a noonday luncheon, said he would be unable to remain in Pittsburgh.