ROOSEVELT FRANKLIN D Group of 4 Autograph Letters Signed Roo

Sale 2413 - Lot 182

Price Realized: $ 2,470

?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price

Estimate: $ 1,500 - $ 2,500

"SUBMARINES ARE NOT THE SOLE CAUSES OF DANGER TO AMERICAN LIVES" ROOSEVELT, FRANKLIN D. Group of 4 Autograph Letters Signed, "Roosevelt," as President, each to Secretary of State Cordell Hull ("Hull"), retained drafts for telegrams, in pencil, reacting to developments during the [Second Italo-Ethiopian] war without waiting for a response from the League [of Nations]. Together 5 pages. Each 8vo, written on rectos of separate sheets; moderate staining at left edge of each leaf (but still legible), one leaf with small hole at lower left edge with minor loss to text, minor scattered staining. (TFC) [Aboard the U.S.S. Houston], October 1935

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First: "It is my judgment that proclamation issue immediately in view of the undoubted state of war and without waiting League action. I entirely approve the suggested statement to be given out at same time as proclamation."
Second: ". . . Approve issuance proclamation and also statement to accompany. Period. Agree . . . that further action relating to publicity of names and manifests be held up for further study and recommendation by you."
Third: ". . . Americans sailing on belligerent ships may repeat may jeopardize peace or endanger lives or effect commercial interests or security of U.S. . . . [I]f the proclamation under section six is issued Americans will do that travelling only at their own risk. Italy can find no affront in this as it carries out what I believe to be the intent and the spirit of the law. Period. The clinching argument is that if Ethiopia had a single submarine in the Mediterranean we would not hesitate a moment. Period. But submarines are not the sole causes of danger to American lives and interests."
with--Two items: Franklin D. Roosevelt. Typed Letter Signed, as President, to Chester C. Wood, commending him on his service while handling communications during his cruise. 1/2 page, 4to, White House stationery; marked staining along right edge making illegible half of signature. "U.S.S. Houston," 23 October 1935 Printed information card, unsigned, describing the "U.S.S. Houston / Second Presidential Cruise," including a list of the cruise destinations, and the names and titles of the crew members, as well as those of the President's staff. 4 pages, small 4to, printed on a folded sheet.
One of the primary objectives of the League of Nations was the prevention of wars. Repeatedly, members of the League disregarded the articles of its Covenant, such as Italy during the outbreak of the Second Italo-Ethiopian War in early October of 1935. The U.S. never adopted the Covenant. The ineffectiveness of the League in the face of World War II led to its dissolution and the founding of the United Nations after the War.