you
You will remain a neutral nation, but I cannot ask that every American remain neutral in thought as well.
Even a neutral has a right to take account of facts.
Even a neutral cannot be asked to close his mind or to close his conscience.
I have said not once but many times that I have seen war and that I hate war.
I say that again and again.
I hope the United States will keep out of this war.
I believe that it will, and I give you assurance and reassurance that every effort of your government will be directed toward that end.
As long as it remains within my power to prevent, there will be no blackout of peace in the United States.
My countrymen and my friends, my single duty is to speak to the whole of America.
I had hoped against hope that some miracle would prevent a devastating war in Europe and bring to an end the invasion of Poland by Germany.
For four long years, a succession of actual wars and constant crises have shaken the entire world and have threatened in each case to bring on the gigantic conflict, which is today unhappily a fact.
It is right to point out that the unfortunate events of these recent years have been based on the use of force or on the threat of force.
And it seems to me clear, even at the outbreak of this great war, that the influence of America should be consistent in seeking for humanity a final peace which will eliminate, as far as it is possible to do so, the continued use of force between nations.
You must master at the outset a simple but unalterable fact in modern foreign relations.
When peace has been broken anywhere, the peace of all nations everywhere is in danger.