Beschreibung:

ROOSEVELT, FRANKLIN DELANO, President . Typed letter signed ("Franklin D. Roosevelt") as President to Secretary of the Navy [Claude E. Swanson], The White House, Washington, D.C., 8 October 1937. One page, 4to, integral blank, on pale green White House stationery, receipt stamp at top corner. "WE ARE AT PEACE WITH ALL THE WORLD...WAR WILL BE AVOIDED BY ALL HONORABLE MEANS" An exceptionally fine letter, evidently intended for publication. Four years prior to Pearl Harbor, with war clouds looming in Europe and Asia, Roosevelt invokes his predecessor, Theodore Roosevelt, alludes to his own service in the Navy and expresses confidence in its leadership and preparedness. "I have warm pleasure in commending again to our countrymen the annual observance of Navy Day in accordance with the established practice of setting aside the birthday of Theodore Roosevelt for that purpose. I hope that on this day the American people will learn more about our Navy for it is through the moral support of our citizenry that the Navy derives its most vigorous incentive to strive for preparedness of our defense at sea. "We are at peace with all the world and for that we are thankful. We as a nation have no plans of conquest; we harbor no imperial designs. War will be avoided by all honorable means. To keep the peace is a fundamental policy of the United States; to live and let live in the spirit of the good neighbor is our earnest desire [Theodore Roosevelt conceived the foreign policy known as 'The Good Neighbor Policy']. I believe it entirely consistent with our continuing readiness to limit armaments, to maintain a defense at sea sufficient to insure the preservation of our democratic ideals and the maintenance of a righteous peace. "Happily recalling my earlier personal and official association with the Navy, I congratulate the Navy on its splendid efficiency, on its record of past achievement, and the competent leadership which directs it. I have full confidence that the Navy will maintain with honor the heritage of its worthy traditions...." Theodore and Franklin each had strong connections with the U.S. Navy. Theodore Roosevelt served as Assistant Secretary of the Navy from 1897-1898 (resigning to take command of the cavalry regiment known as "The Rough Riders" during the Spanish-American War). His cousin, Franklin D. Roosevelt had served in the same position from 1913 to 1920 (though President Wilson turned down his request to serve on active duty during World War I).