lt took toward war (at precisely the time when he was
campaigning for his third-term re-election on a platform of peace and
neutrality to keep America out of war) was his radical alteration of
traditional concepts of United States policy in order to declare
Greenland under the protection of our Monroe Doctrine. The Council on
Foreign Relations officially boasts full responsibility for this fateful
step toward war.

On pages 13 and 14 of a book entitled _The Council on Foreign Relations:
A Record of Twenty-Five Years, 1921-1946_ (written by officials of the
Council and published by the Council on January 1, 1947) are these
passages:

"One further example may be cited of the way in which ideas and
recommendations originating at Council meetings have entered into
the stream of official discussion and action.

"On March 17, 1940, a Council group completed a confidential report
which pointed out the strategic importance of Greenland for
transatlantic aviation and for meteorological observations. The
report stated:

"'The possibility must be considered that Denmark might be overrun
by Germany. In such case, Greenland might be transferred by treaty
to German sovereignty.'

"It also pointed out the possible danger to the United States in
such an eventuality, and mentioned that Greenland lies within the
geographical sphere 'within which the Monroe Doctrine is presumed
to apply.'

"Shortly after this, one of the members of the group which had
prepared the report was summoned to the White House. President
Roosevelt had a copy of the memorandum in his hand and said that he
had turned to his visitor for advice because of his part in
raising the question of Greenland's strategic importance.

"Germany invaded Denmark on April 9, 1940. At his press conference
three days later, the President stated that he was satisfied that
Greenland was a part of the American continent. After a visit to
the White House on the same day, the Danish Minister said that he
agreed with the President.

"On April 9, 1941, an agreement was signed between the United
States and Denmark which provided for assistance by the United
States to Greenland in the maintenance of its status, and granted
to the United States the right to locate and construct such
airplane landing-fields, seaplane facilities, and radio an