The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1940-05-23

So far as this country is concerned
the most striking effect of the terrific
developments abroad is in the changed
atmosphere here. Even after Hitler in
vaded Denmark and conquered Nor
way a good many people seemed dis
posed to accept the theory that this is
not our war, that we have no stake In
it and our only concern should be to
keep out Of it.
But it is different now What is hap
pening in Holland, Belgium and in
France has switched sentiment very
greatly. The extreme isolationists are
in retreat and the country as a whole
is behind the Presidents new defense
program. There is no longer any pre-,
tense that the Allied cause is not our
cause. There is now general recogni-
ton that it is merely enlightened self
ishness to help the Allies in every way
"short Of war" What was needed to
make US face the realities was pros
tltNl u ~ an oulOCoos IL IldS DCCIl lIOlllC
Justice that certain aspiring candi-
dates for the Presidency who thought
the trend was one way and rushed in
that direction should find now that
the country has turned on them.
Obviously there will be slight oppo-
sition to making the more than bill.
lon-dollar appropriation for which Mr..
Roosevelt asks. 1t, of course, is pretty
bad that the reckless waste of the
past eight years has so weakened Fed
eral finances that they are in poor con.
dition to stand this additional strain.
1t is deplorable, too, that our army
and navy should be in so inadequate
state, despite the seven billions APP.
propliated since 1884 and despite Mr..
Roosevelts insistence that the things
said to that effect by men who ought
tc know, are not true. But this is an
emergency and neither these things
nor the question of how the billion is
to be raised without breaking the ma
tional credit should stand in the way
Of affirmative action. The first thing is
to give the money.
However, there is nothing in the sit
uation that excuses either personal or
political hysteria. Some of the sugges-
tons that have been put forth with
in the past few days at least border on
that state, They Indicate a degree of
panic not justified by the facts. Ger
talnly acquieScence in the Roosevelt
request for a billion-dollar appropri-
alton should not carry with it aban-
donment of the right either to criticize
OF question We are not at war Every
body hopes we will not have to go to
war, and there is certainly no necessity
and less sense in becoming, in effect
totalitarian state in ord erto prepare
for war
On the contrary, the very fact that
under the present Executive so many
billions have been wasted is the sound
est of reasons for the opposition to re-
tain its sense of balance and not be
swept off its feet by clamor. For ex-
ample, it would seem in the national
interests to insist that the spending
OF this money is more important than
appropriating it. If it is to be effec-
tuaIlY spent, both American industry
and the governmental departments
concerned have got to be relieved of
soGe of the restrictive New Deal leg
islation which cramps production and
lnterferes with obtaining supplies
Ii it is to be effectually spent some
new and competent nonpartisan agen-
cy, able and willing to get the facts,
ought to be put in charge. The great
need is to lift this whole business Of
preparedness above the level of party
OF fractional politics. 1t needs to be
taken out of the realm where the
balance politicians can gloat over what
the far and the defense billions mean
N'A Nllt NUINtoS VI IIlGll lHIlu~GCllll piano
which is what they are now doing.
vi course, Mr.. Roosevelt could accom-
plish that at any moment in a single
statement And it would put him on a
pinnacle such as no President ever oc-
cupied before, and such as he can occu.
Ply IN no other way.
4*&
But, if his friends are to be believed
there is slight chance of his making
the great remuneration" now Ger
tanIy they are violently opposed to
It. They are willing enough that he
should invite Republican like Col.
frank Knox into his councils and set
up nonpartisan commission to make
survey, recommend special taxes or
spend the money. But, renounce a
thlrd term, no! With it now practically
II his grasp, that, they point out
would be foolish.
a*4
Perhaps before this is printed the