American statesman, politician, and newspaper publisher (1874–1944) who ran unsuccessfully as the vice-presidential candidate in 1936 and who served as Secretary of Navy under FDR for most of World War II. Significant TLS, two pages, 8.5 x 11, Chicago Daily News letterhead, October 1, 1937. Knox writes to James T. Williams of the Chicago Daily News Foreign Service. In part: “Between ourselves, I am very much alarmed over Hoover’s persistent activities. I am beginning to be fearful that he is again the victim of the presidential bee…. He acts like a man who had some ax to grind…. I made a very strong declaration against personal ambition entering into the picture at this stage, and to which he immediately took umbrage. The psychological effect upon me was to increase my conviction that he was entertaining some idea that lightning might strike him…. I have just asked Paul Mowrer to wire you for an editorial on the international situation and particularly upon the American traditional policy with respect to infringement of treaty obligations and forthright declarations against brutality and inhumanities practiced in other countries, whether in time of peace or war…. I can think of nothing more unlikely than our involvement in the Japanese-Chinese war, and I have no fear of any immediate war in Europe…. It seems to me there is a parallel that could be used effectively, between the way Wilson treated the beginnings of the world war and the very different way that Roosevelt is treating this present situation. I have all along had a very strong feeling that if the United States, when Germany threatened the invasion of Belgium, had spoken for the conscience of mankind in ringing tones, supported as it certainly would have been, by a similar expression from Great Britain, and then we had followed that up with an immediate military preparedness program, we probably would not have been involved in the world war, and the war itself might have been of much shorter duration. It occurs to me that President Franklin D. Roosevelt is taking a leaf out of that experience in speaking in no uncertain terms the profound conviction of American citizens generally concerning treaty violations and inhuman cruelties and brutalities outside civilized practices even in war. If we kept our mouths closed in cowardly fashion and let Japan go her way of ruthlessness, we are far more likely to be involved later after this ruthlessness and brutality have made her more powerful and military victory has made her more egotistic....” In fine condition. Outstanding content from the brink of World War II! RRAuction COA.
