<論説>中立法制定における「孤立主義者」とローズヴェルト政権の対応

Abstract

本稿では、一九三〇年代後半のアメリカ外交方針を規定した中立法の制定過程をみることで、この時期の孤立主義の特徴を示していくことにする。従来の研究が示すように、ローズヴェルト政府が海外の紛争に介入して、アメリカが再度戦争に巻き込まれることを懸念する「孤立主義者」が、上院を中心に中立法制定に向けて積極的に行動したのは事実である。しかし、彼らが望む中立法は決して同一ではなかった。また一方、ローズヴェルト政府も、可能なかぎりの外交上の影響力を確保するため、反対勢力の対立を利用しながら、自らも積極的に中立法制定と実施に向けて行動した。このことが、一九三〇年代後半の孤立主義の高まりを説明する際の重要な要因の一つであると筆者は考える。したがって、本稿では、まず中立法に対する「孤立主義者」の考えを三つに分類し、次に、中立法制定の経緯を説明しながら、政府の態度の重要性を示していきたい。

The Neutrality Acts of 1935, 1936 and 1937 dominated the American foreign policy in the late 1930's. It was in order to avoid a commitment to foreign wars that these acts were legislated, and many Americans in those days supported this aim. But the demands were various, so not only in the Congress, where the influence of isolationists was strong, but also out side of it clarity, controversies remained. In this article, I intend to shed some light on the Neutrality dispute by way of a classfication of the isolationists and having a look at the actions of the FDR Administration towards the Congress. I classify the isolationists into the following. three groups. Group (1), including Senator W. E. Borah and Professor E. Borchard, 'advocated' the traditional neutral rights and freedom of high sea, and opposed the discretion of the President. Group (2), including C. A. Beard and Senator G.P. Nye developed the argument of the new American neutral policy, which advocated to break off both economic and political relations with warring countries. They also opposed the discretion of the President. Group (3), including W. Lippmann, supported the policy of temporary non-involvement in conflicting areas, judged from a realistic point of view. The FDR Administration had the intention to exert influence on international affairs, but because of serious domestic problems and the inability to commit itself to foreign troubles, the Administration was compelled to compromise with the isolationists' strong demands, and in result, "hardly acquired the. discretion." Nevertheless, it managed to maintain its power in foreign affairs as much as possible, making use of the differences amongst the isolationists. And in order not to lose any further power, it took the initiative in legislating and practicing the neutral policy. This attitude of the Administration promoted the isolationism of the U. S. A. in the late 30's.