Pearl Harbor: The Seeds and Fruits of Infamy - Ludwig von Mises ...

U.S. International Policy: 1933–1940 17
July 26, 1939 of our intentions to terminate. Th is dealt a heavy
blow to the Japanese economy—also to world trade. And it represented
a signifi cant deterioration in our relations with Japan. 23
War Breaks Out in Europe
On September 1, 1939, Germany invaded Poland. Britain and
France immediately notifi ed Germany that unless it withdrew its
forces, they would honor their agreement to defend Poland. Hitler
did not pull out. Two days later Britain and France declared war
on Germany. World War II had begun.
At this juncture, FDR again reassured the country of our
neutrality. He went on the radio on September 3 and announced
in his very convincing manner: “Th is Nation will remain a neutral
nation.” 24 Two days later on September 5, President Roosevelt
issued an offi cial proclamation of neutrality prescribing “certain
duties with respect to the proper observance, safeguarding, and
enforcement of such neutrality.” It called on all persons within
the jurisdiction of the United States to exercise “an impartial
neutrality.” 25
On September 11, only a very few days later, FDR initiated a
secret correspondence with “a former naval person” in belligerent
Great Britain’s cabinet. Th is “former naval person” was Winston
Churchill, newly recalled by Prime Minister Chamberlain to
serve as First Lord of the Admiralty, the same position Churchill
had held during World War I. (Churchill did not become prime
minister until May 1, 1940.) Roosevelt, as Assistant Secretary
of the Navy during World War I, had visited England and been
entranced by the British espionage and intelligence services. But
he hadn’t then met Churchill.
23 Department of State, Japan, 1931–1941, p. 189.
24 Department of State, Peace and War, p. 485.
25 U.S. Congress, Events, p. 215.