If You Ask Me
by Eleanor Roosevelt

Expose them to as much freedom and democracy as it is possible for them to encounter in the community in which they live, and try to give them proof that they have been made to believe lies.

I said that anything which was harmful to the U.S. was an un-American activity.

I am delighted to hear that this is being done. The earlier children learn a foreign language the easier it is. In the earlier years children learn almost everything by memory and by ear, and not by reasoning. Arithmetic, which calls for reasoning, is difficult for small children. Languages, if learned while children are young, are learned largely by ear, and not by grammar, and children get an accent better and find the language easier than if they wait until they are older. It is most important for our young people to learn languages now, since they are likely to work and be in countries all over the world. Making friends in foreign countries is easier if you know the language of the people you are with.

I do not think I ever said that Nazi countries should be admitted to the U.N. As I remember it, what I said was that I felt Italy, Germany and Japan as well—all our former enemies—should one day be admitted to the U.N. Because I believe that in the future we should try to have within the U.N. all nations.

I cannot understand your criticism of the guards at Hyde Park. It may, however, have been a day with tremendous crowds, and some of the guards may have become weary, but as a rule they follow out their training and are most courteous to everyone. I have always heard many reports of their courtesy and kindness, and I have never heard a criticism such as yours. I must state, however, that even if this were true there is absolutely nothing I could do about it, because neither my family nor I have anything to do with the running of the estate. It belongs to the government, and the National Park Service is exclusively responsible for the guards.

I have very little hope that dropping the atom bomb will achieve peace, and I am afraid it would bring us the dislike of other nations and create a fear which would not be beneficial to peaceful relations.

The flag symbolizes for me the nation which we all love. When we pledge allegiance to the flag we pledge allegiance not only to our country but to the freedoms and principles which have built this nation.

I haven't gone to a studio and had a photograph taken of myself for many years, but, unfortunately, I have no control over the Press Photographers Association.

He outgrew it, I always understood.