The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1939-05-11
NATIONAL E
ESSAY CONTEST WINNER

Following is an essay written
by Jimmie Morris which was
awarded first place in a con-
test sponsored by the American
Legion Auxiliary here.
Why National Defense Is
Necessary to Enduring Peace
The dictionary meaning of
national is belonging to the ma
ton; the dictionary meaning
Cf defense is any act Or word
that guards, protects, or de-
tends. Summing these together
it means to fortify, protect or
guard your nation against en-
emieS.
My idea of national defense
Is to guard and protect your ma
ton, the people of your nation
and the industries of your ma
ton against any enemy.
One example of a nation not
prepared for war was Russia
n 1914 iAhen the European con-
fllct began. They had many mil
lions of people for cannon fod-
der. but few really well trained
soldiers. Russia had a small
inefficient airforce and an in
efficient government. They had
little equipment and what they
had was not efficient. Russia
had a small navy, but it was
much better organized than the
army.
Another example of a nation
that was not prepared for war,
was the United States. When
the Unied States entered the
World War we thought we
would only need the navy for
escort duty, but IKE were wrong.
When the regular army went
across it left many raw recruits
in training and some of these
recruits went before they were
ready. The United States train
ing camps were crowded as
were the troop ships. Our allies
had to furnish us with planes
because the United States had
very few airplanes. In fact our
air force was hardly started
until the United States went
after Pancho Villa and it was
then mostly ballons. Although
our regular army was small it
was very efficient whether
f"Atng alone or with some
French, English or Canadian
troops.
Czechos,ovakia is a very good
example Of a nation with an
adequate army but that IS too
small to stand against a larger
nation. When Germany was
getting ready to take it, many
such as England, France
and Russia, said they would
help her. Czechoslovaakia could
try to fight back at Germany
but Germany's greater power
in both men and equipment
would soon win CzechoSlovakia.
Because she is so small, allies
Of Germany have been carving
her up so much, she doesn't
look like a drumstick any more.
China is an example of al
large nation with inadequate
forces. It has many millions of
men, but fiiS well trained fight
ing men. When the Japo-Chino|
war started the Chinese had
some foreign officers in their
services. The Chinese govern
ment was quite poor and had
to borrow money to finance
the building of planes and mu-,|
nitions to fight with. The Chi
nese army is not equipped with
good or new rifles and there
are not enough rifles for every
man to have one. Although
many soldiers are being killed
many more civilians are losing|
lives, as that is the aim
ct the japanese air force. The
Chinese have Away said they
would not fight unless they
were being attacked. Because Of
this the defense was so poor
on China's part that Japan is
all over her. For quite
a long tie China has had al
small civil 1ar, but now both
sides have joined and the Red
side has munition plants of its
own.
The United States defense has
ever since our first
war. In the Revolutionary War