Original Press Release Announcing a National Radio Address by Former President, Herbert Hoover: “Shall We Send Armies to Europe” to be Broadcast on November 19, 1941 on the Columbia Broadcasting System Network Sponsored By the Union League Club of Chicago, Illinois
first edition
1941 · Chicago
by HOOVER, HERBERT
Chicago: The Union League Club of Chicago, 1941. First Edition. A single sheet of newsprint, printed on one side only, measuring 13 5/8” x 17 1/4”, neatly folded into sixths. Near fine condition with some minor age toning and a 3/8” tear to the body of the piece, not affecting the legibility of the text. A fascinating and articulate presentation of former President Herbert Hoover’s views on whether or not the United States should commit troops to Europe, just weeks prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor (December 7, 1941) which effectively ended the debate and brought us abruptly into wartime. Hoover closes his piece with this impassioned paragraph: “Surely if we ceased to fan hate and fear; if we have labor peace; if we definitely act to preserve the Fifth Freedom; if we strive to save these millions of European children; if our people were definitely assured that we are not going to send our armies to Europe or its suburbs without the authority of Congress; that we have a practical plan to preserve peace after the war - then we could summon far greater unity. Then, also, my fellow Americans, we might summon the whole world to reason.” The Hoover administration (1929 -1933) was in place as the Great Depression swept across the nation, and was succeeded in office by Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who guided the country to prosperity and through the dark times of World War II. (Inventory #: 14874E)