TLS as president, one page, 7 x 9, White House letterhead, August 28, 1935. Letter to Norman Hapgood of Massachusetts, marked “Personal,” at the top. In full: “Many thanks for your notes. The Senate Resolution has been much modified and an actual reading of it shows that it takes away little Executive authority except the embargo on certain types of arms and munitions (the type to be determined by me) between now and next February. Discretion must, of course, remain in the Executive in the long run.
Things do look serious in Europe but we have passed so many serious crises during the past few years that I still hope.” Letter is archivally sleeved in acid-free Mylar. In fine condition.
The Neutrality Acts, one of which is referenced here, were a series of laws passed by the US Congress in the 1930s in response to the European and Asian turmoil that eventually led to World War II. The legislation, rooted in American isolationism, sought to ensure that the US would not become entangled in foreign conflicts as it had during the First World War. During the process, the State Department had lobbied Congress for embargo provisions to allow FDR to impose sanctions selectively—a request that was rejected by Congress. The 1935 act, signed on August 31, 1935, three days after this letter, imposed a general embargo on trading in arms and war materials with all parties in a war. Roosevelt invoked the act following Italy’s invasion of Ethiopia in October 1935, which prevented all arms and ammunition shipments to both countries. He also declared a "moral embargo" against both sides, a move that covered other types of trade not covered by the Neutrality Act. Roosevelt may have still had hope in spite of the “many serious crises during the past few years,” but in reality, humanity was continuing its march toward another worldwide conflict. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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