The United Nations are fighting to make a world in
which tyranny and aggression cannot exist; a world based upon freedom,
equality, and justice; a world in which all persons regardless of race,
color, or creed may live in peace, honor, and dignity.
In the meantime in most of Europe and in parts of Asia the systematic
torture and murder of civilians—men, women, and children- by the
Nazis and the Japanese continue unabated. In areas subjugated by the
aggressors innocent Poles, Czechs, Norwegians, Dutch, Danes, French,
Greeks, Russians, Chinese, Filipinos—and many others- are being
starved or frozen to death or murdered in cold blood in a campaign of
savagery.
The slaughters of Warsaw, Lidice, Kharkov, and Nanking-the brutal torture
and murder by the Japanese, not only of civilians but of our own gallant
American soldiers and fliers—these are startling examples of what
goes on day by day, year in and year out, wherever the Nazis and the
Japs are in military control—free to follow their barbaric purpose.
In one of the blackest crimes of all history—begun by the Nazis
in the day of peace and multiplied by them a hundred times in time of
war-the wholesale systematic murder of the Jews of Europe goes on unabated
every hour. As a result of the events of the last few days hundreds
of thousands of Jews, who' while living under persecution have at least
found a haven from death in Hungary and the Balkans, are now threatened
with annihilation as Hitler's forces descend more heavily upon these
lands. That these innocent people, who have already survived a decade
of Hitler's fury, should perish on the very eve of triumph over' the
barbarism which their persecution symbolizes, would be a major tragedy.
It is therefore fitting that we should again proclaim our determination
that none who participate in these acts of savagery shall go unpunished.
The United Nations have made it clear that they will pursue the guilty
and deliver them up in order that Justice be done. That warning applies
not only to the leaders but also to their functionaries and subordinates
in Germany and in the satellite countries. All who knowingly take part
in the deportation of Jews to their death in Poland or Norwegians and
French to their death in Germany are equally guilty with the executioner.
All who share the guilt shall share the punishment.
Hitler is committing these crimes against humanity in the name of the
German people. I ask every German and every man everywhere under Nazi
domination to show the world by his action that in his heart he does
not share these insane criminal desires. Let him hide these pursued
victims, help them to get over their borders, and do what he can to
save them from the Nazi hangman. I ask him also to keep watch, and to
record the evidence that will one day be used to convict the guilty.
In the meantime, and until the victory that is now assured is won,
the United States will persevere in its efforts to rescue the victims
of brutality of the Nazis and the Japs. Insofar as the necessity of
military operations permit, this Government will use all means at its
command to aid the escape of all intended victims of the Nazi and Jap
executioner-regardless of race or religion or color. We call upon the
free peoples of Europe and Asia temporarily to open their frontiers
to all victims of oppression. We shall find havens of refuge for them,
and we shall find the means for their maintenance and support until
the tyrant is driven from their homelands and they may return.
In the name of justice and humanity let all freedom-loving people rally
to this righteous undertaking.