Evening star., 1940-05-11
The Political Mill
Strengthening Of u. S. Defenses Advisable
Even Though IS Shuns SoIvuqina Of Europe

far reaching than the American pub
NC realizes. Appropriations for the
Army. he insists, which may mean
little to civilian ears, are for more
effective and more far reaching
than appear on the surface. II that
be the fact, the American people
should have the fullest information
Certainly 1t would be no harm to
allow other nations to know that
this country is being prepared to
meet any attack from any source,
N0n-Pelitical Problom.
The defense Of the Nation should
not be allowed to become 4 political
issue. It should 60 forward with
out regard to the national political
campaign which win have its cul-
mination next November. This
country has its interests to look to,
not only here, but in the Far East
as well as In Europe.
President Roosevelt warned that
time tables have been rewritten in
tho last quarter century: that no
longer do the waters Of the Atlantic
and Pacific Oceans constitute an
insurmountable obstacle to quick
attack from abroad; that the shores
OF Africa, which may constitute q
base for enemy attack, are within
q few hours today from parts OF
South America. With war raging
IN Europe and In Asia, 1t would be
folly for the Americas to close their
eyes and say ut can't happen here" /"
It Is impossible to say yet whether
the great attack now aimed by
Germany against the allies will be
successful. II the German armies
are checked enectually, the situa-
ton may change in the twinkling
OF an eye. Yet, even 50, II the Ger
mans are able to obtain the sup
plies they require from the Balkan
states and from Russia, the war
may be continued for . long time.
Furthermore, neither Russia nor
Italy, potential armed allies Of Ger
many. have yet entered the war
Even II the allies are able to hold
them all In check-and in the end
to bring defeat to the determine ton
Of Germany to dominate Europe
and wipe the British Navy from the
seas-the upbuilding Of America q
defenses, even at the expenditure Of
billions OF dollars, viii have been
worthwhile insurance.
Must Build Before War.
1t took the greater part Of a year
to build up an Army In this country
when we entered the World War In
1917. America may not have a year
to build an Army again. The country
must have adequate defense against
air raids. which means plenty of
anti-aircraft guns and other de-
lenses. It must have plenty OF
planes and military pilots Of its
own. 1t must not rely entirely upon
defensive tactics-for 1t Is an old
axiom that attack is often the best
defense.
At present the United States Is
bent upon maintaining its neutral
ity. The President has taken ali
steps under the law to prevent the
involvement Of Americans In the
present conflict. That position, how
ever, Is not at all inconsistent with
the upbuilding of the Nations de-
lenses. Indeed, the stronger the
defenses. the less chance that any
potential enemy will seek to at
tack us.
There is no slightest doubt that
the war in Europe, as long as II
continues, will have its effect on
domestic politics in this country
In all probability it will have q ire
mendous effect on the presidential
campaign. which will begin as soon
as the Republican and Democratic
national conventions have named
their candidates during the summer
Up to the present 1t has seemed
certain that no candidate will run
on a platform, personal or party
calling for entry of the United
States into the conflict abroad. The
candidate who turns his back on
the situation abroad and on plans
for greater national defense, how
ever. is likely to fare badly.