Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1940-08-08
Il Might Be
Wrong--BUT.
=by P. G. Stromberg

into months and months into
years while we little realize the
passing of time. We have three
quarters of the worlds gold.
We have more national resources
than any other country. We
have more wealth than any other
country. We have more politi-
clans than any other country.
But there is one all important
element where we have no edge.
That is TIME. AS matter of
fact, while time is the most i'm.
portant of all considerations in
our effort to bring our defenses
up to the desired point, We have
twiddled our fingers in an atmos-
phere of ignorant complaisance
while other nations have more
than overcome our advantages in
other respects by using TIME.
l don't remember an occasion
when the public generally was as
willing to accept any kind Of
taxes or sacrifices considered es-
sential to our defense program.
Still we have seen three months
pass since we cast aside our pipe
dream of security and deter
mined to "get ready" only to find
that our leaders are evidently
letting political considerations
hold sway over our national well
being. Why should man, who
wants to be called a statesman,
weigh a momentous national
problem by its possible effect on
his political fortunes?
The universal compulsory mili-
tary training bill is being
bounced around in Washington
as though it were another Vol
stead Act. From the time of
the Nazi invasion of Holland on
May 10, we have recognized the
adoption of compulsory training
as a certainty. Now, in early
August, it is still listed in
Congress unfinished business.
Let the opponents rave. They
are likely sincere patriots, but l
can't see following the Wheelers,
Nyes, Johnsons and Lindberghs
in crisis like the world faces
today. Senator Wheeler and
his fellows in opposition to COM
pulsory training are comparable
to a man urging the saving of
premium on fire insurance be-
cause there is little likelihood of
fire, although buildings immedi-
ately adjacent are ablaze.
Universal military training
should be adopted as a perma-
nent policy for economic as well
as military reasons. It will give
occupation (useful) to several
million young men who, at the
same time, will be given a course
in Democracy and patriotism
which in another generation will
wipe out all the "isms" which
have fiourished during recent
decades.
Most of the men I know are
not only willing but anxious to
have their sons get the military
training while the youngsters
look forward to the experience
with enthusiastic expectation of
adventure.
-
Our future position in the
world will be determined by the
result of the wars effect on
England. Few challenge the
statement that our need for a
two ocean navy will be'a reality
only in the event Of the final
capitulation of the British feet.
Consequently the maintenance of
the British Fleet is of para
mount Importance to us. That
being true, why should we not
give every possible support to
the British Fleet? Would it not
be a good investment if our sup
port to Britain made unneces-
sary the building Of another
Navy? Is not the actual exist
ence of the British Navy much
more desirable NOW than the
completion Of our extra navy
Tour or five years hence?
Why not appraise conditions
squarely and fairly? Why
camouhage our conviction that
our defense program is predi-
Gated on the theory that Nazism
Is Democracy's, and therefore
OIJR n..I-. 10y - I.