This, issued by President Roosevelt on the eve of World War II, speaks for itself.
No. 325
Appeal of President Roosevelt to Great Britain, France, Italy, Germany and Poland
September 1, 1939.
“THE ruthless bombing from the air of civilians in unfortified centres of population during the course of the hostilities which have raged in various quarters of the earth in the past few years, which have resulted in the maiming and death of thousands of defenseless women and children, has profoundly shocked the conscience of humanity.“If resort is had to this sort of inhuman barbarism during the period of tragic conflagration with which the world is now confronted, hundreds of thousands of innocent human beings, who have no responsibility for, and who are not even remotely participating in, the hostilities which have broken out, now will lose their lives.
“I am therefore addressing this urgent appeal to every Government, which may be engaged in hostilities, publicly to affirm its determination that its armed forces shall in no event and under no circumstances undertake bombardment from the air of civilian populations or unfortified cities, upon the understanding that the same rules of warfare will be scrupulously observed by all their opponents.
“I request an immediate reply.”
If God did not exist, I would want One to hold all accountable for all such inhuman barbarisms down through the ages. Then Pogo’s wisdom says: “We have seen the enemy, and it is us.”…
