Evening star., 1940-05-17
America Acts


America Acts
President Roosevelt's sound and
admirably fortnight message cali
Ing for billion-d dollar strengthening
OF our fighting arms, coupled with
the overwhelmingly favorable re-
sponse to 1t in Congress and in the
country at large, should dispel any
illusions which totalitarian dictators
or others with dreams Of world con-
quest may cherish about this easy
going, peace-loving democracy. The
President speaks for. IN aroused,
united and grimly determined people
when he serves notice on the forces
OF international anarchy-static and
on the march-that the Western
Hemisphere is "verboten" territory
and that we mean to keep 1t that
way, whatever the cost
That the cost will. be great and
that 1t will bring enormous burdens
and entail enormous sacrifices on
the part OF every American citizen
for many years to come is undeni-
able. Another billion dollars on ton
OF the staggering expenditures Of
the depression period is a serious
strain on the national economy. But,
as Mr.. Roosevelt remarked earlier,
when catastrophe threatens our per-
sons and our homes, there is no time
to count the cost Of emergency pro-
tective measures. A billion dollars is
a relatively small investment, indeed,
IT 1t will give this Nation even a rea-
sonable degree OF security against
such frightful carnage as has been
visited upon Europe's more vulner-
able democracies.
The shocking developments of re-
cent weeks-the defeat Of the allies
IN Norway under the onslaught of
Nazi air power, the five-day subjuga-
ton OF Holland and the astounding
thrust into Belgium of Hitler's mech
anized divisions-has awakened even
lsolationists from their complacency.
Suggestions of an allied defeat no
longer are regarded as fantastic.
And, none too soon, we have begun
to ponder upon the dire implications
OF a totalitarian triumph in the
epochal struggle now approaching its
critical stages across the Atlantic.
That is why the United States must
act quickly to fortify itself against
the possible spread of the connagra-
ton to this hemisphere. President
Roosevelt pointed out that our SOL
diers and sailors, man for man, are
the equal or the superior OF any the
world over; and our Navy, ship for
ship, can hold its own against any
foreign fleet. But men without ade-
quate arms and training, ships with
out support of powerful air force
and planes that have been outmoded
by the startling Improvements de-
vised by Nazi ingenuity would be at
a grave disadvantage against modern
mechanical might of the deadly
type which conquered Poland, Nor
way and Holland and which now
menaces France and England.
Science has speeded up wars
tempo. AS crisis follows crisis In
bewildering succession, need for &C.
celeration of our preparations to
resist invasion from any quarter
becomes imperative. It would be
dangerous to pause in these prepara-
tions to conduct Investigations of
what Mr.. Roosevelt properly has
termed loose" charges that previous
appropriations for defense have been
squandered. The full sum asked by
the President should be and un-
doubtedly will be voted cheerfully
and quickly. No strings should be
attached to the legislation. If in
quiries are deemed advisable at the
Capitol, let them come later. 1t will
take time to increase production
capacity Of shipyards and plane fac
tories-and time Is of the essence In
this race to make America secure
from invasion. Free rein must be
given the allies in their purchases of
American planes and arms-for by
so doing we not only diminish the
threat to our own country, but gain
the potential advantages of greatly
increased production facilities.
There is no need for hysteria, no
place for politics nor petty pickering
in considering means of meeting the
emergency with which the Nation is
confronted. The decision calls for
clear heads, courage, unified action
and, above all, speed. BY the exhibi-
tion of such qualities America will
let all dictators know that her peo-
pie are resolved that what Is hap
pening in Europe must not happen
here.