Evening star., 1940-06-05
Warning to Germany

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joint congressional resolution which,
in effect, serves notice on Germany
that she must keep hands off the
Western Hemisphere if she wins the
war in Europe merely gives formal
expression to policy to which the
United States must adhere as
matter of sheer necessity.
From time to time there have been
efforts made to give the impression
that this country has no definite
plan in this respect, that we have
not decided whether we should un-
dertake to defend the entire hemi-
sphere or merely the United States
proper But thoughtful Americans
have long understood that we have
no real choice in this matter. They
have known that our defense pro-
gram has been formulated with a
view to hemisphere defense for the
simple but vitally important reason
That we cannot in any other way
insure the security of the United
States.
But the instruments Of defense in
being and those in contemplation are
two entirely different things, and the
sorry fact is that we are not by any
means prepared to defend the vast
reaches of North and South America.
And yet, despite this serious weak
ness, with its accompanying threat
to our own national safety, there are
Americans, some of whom occupy
high positions in this Government,
who persist in their avowed refusal
to believe that there is any emer-
gency confronting this Nation.
General George c. Marshall, Army
Chief OF Staff, told the House Military
Affairs Committee yesterday that we
are faced with dangers that might
be serious, specifically with relation
to the Panama Canal" In this con-
nection he intimated that it might
become necessary to send National
Guard detachments to Latin Amer
lea and, in an executive session, he
elaborated on the reasons which may
make such move imperative.
The Chief of Staff has made it clear
that he would draw on the Guard
with reluctance, but that it may be-
come urgently necessary to do so is
plainly indicated by testimony he
gave to Congress several weeks ago.
which has just been made public
In that testimony General Marshall
warned Congress that there is
tragic shortage" Of manpower in
the Regular Army and stressed the
great Importance, from the stand
point OF national security, of having
available more seasoned, trained
men who can use the new weapons
effectively and Immediately and with
state of discipline that makes them
completely dependable"
The Regular Army has men of this
caliber, but our standing forces are
not large enough for a real emer-
gency. Trained auxiliary troops must
come from the National Guard. 1T
was primarily to insure this timely
training that the President last week
asked for authority to call the Guard
to active duty should occasion arise
in the absence of Congress. But, de-
spite the clear reasonableness Of this
request, it evoked a storm Of criti-
cism in Congress, and when General
Marshall issued an explanatory
statement he, too, was attacked, with
Senator Wheeler describing his re-
marks as propaganda to stampede
the people of this country into a war
hysteria"
Such a statement, coming from a
responsible public official, is not only
foolish but it is dangerous as we'll.
1t is no light matter under any cir
cumstances to accuse the Chief of
Staff of trying to goad the country
into war, and when such a charge
is made, as in this case, with appar-
ent intent to forestall vitally neces-
sary defense preparations, it merits
the severest condemnation.
Fortunately, the picture of the dan
ger we are facing and our lack of
preparation to meet it is becoming
clearer each day. AS the facts of our
situation become known, there is less
and less excuse for short sighted
criticism, from whatever source it
may come. And it is to be hoped that
the time is at hand when obstruc-
zionist tactics will be abandoned in
favor OF the whole hearted cooper
alton which the existing emergency
demands.