Evening star., 1940-06-04

AIIleTlCd Dy NdZl "'i" A-
influences, possible misuse of bases
in North American waters, in the
vicinity of islands now held by
European governments, and to the
thousand and one diplomatic and
military problems which must be
faced as a precautionary measure
now, or as a war measure later II
America is forced into the fray.
The obvious fact that America s
production machine needs speed
up is fully understood by the busi-
ness and industrial leaders. The
Government here is finding pressure
on this point from the Army and
Navy. Very soon much more def
mite governmental relationship to
the priority of war needs over
peacetime needs may have to be
established.
Air Force Center of Attention.
For the moment, the expansion OF
our air forces has received the most
attention. Talk of putting the auto
motive industry into the business Of
making airplane engines is still talk.
What is really needed is the multi
plication of the existing aircraft
facilities In companies that have
been building engines and planes.
The auto companies can tool over for
the building of engines on quantity
basis in about a year and this
should be done for reserve purposes,
but anything that disturbs the air
craft industry now or diverts its
attention may slow up rather than
accelerate the process by which air.
plane bombers are available either
for our own use or the Allied needs.
Congress has shown a disposition
to make appropriations and to grant
authority to executive agencies for
defense purposes. AS soon as a pro-
posal is made which can be recog-
nized as really defense purposes, it
is acted upon -partisanly.
The request of the President that
he be granted power to mobilize the
National Guard during the time
Congress is not in session if the
emergency requires it has stirred up
some opposition because it is re-
lated to the question of whether
Congress should adjourn at all If
the National Guard is to be called
out. it means that thousands of men
will leave their jobs and it will
involve a dislocation in business and
industry, and perhaps among skilled
workers groups.
Some See War Soon.
Just to call out the Guard on the
theory that more training is neces-
sary or to replace in domestic pro-
lection the units of the Regular
Army which already are engaged
in duty at the Canal Zone or in
Hawaii or in Coastal defenses is to
raise problems of a ar-reaching
nature. There are some here who
believe America may be in the war
before the end of this year or the
spring of next year. This is on the
assumption that the Allies may be
able to hold out and that help from
America can be decisive next year
But if America is likely to be
caught in the meshes of war so soon,
the military experts would argue
that the National Guard ought to
be on active duty this summer. Who
can guess what the future holds in
store? That is the crux of the diff
Guilty. Thus far, wishful thinking in
behalf of the Allied cause has only
served to defer Americas prepared
ness. If anybody in the Army and
Navy could have foreseen what has
happened in less than a month this
year. he would have recommended
the building up of our defenses on a
vastly more intensive basis than ever
before.
One proposition seems to have
been accepted by preponderant
number of Americans. Every poll or
canvass of sentiment shows it. The
proposition is that if the Allies win,
America will not be forced into any
war and will be able to build ade-
quate defenses for the next decade
no matter what wars may come. If,
on the other hand, the Allies are
defeated. many Americans think the
United States is in for trouble of
some kind and that there is no
time to lose in getting prepared.
A minority of Americans wants
nothing whatsoever done by way of