Henderson daily dispatch., 1940-07-15
Mobilization?

Judge the necessity Tor moDlllZatlOn
of soldiers. Mr. RooSeVeltS proposal
last week that authority DE granted
by Congress for calling out the Ma
tional Guard for 4 years training
was not the first time he has express
ed Il desire for such permission by
the national legislature, and the hint
of May 81. in the light Of 4 more
definite stand now, appears to have
been merely a feeler As such at the
time. it ran into hurricane OF crltl-
ciSm and objection. but served the
purpose Of focusing the nations at
tention on what is in his mind,
which he usually manages to get in
one way or another. So that II the
President is determined to call troops
to the colorS that is what we shall
soon have.
II the United States is threatened
to the point that it is time to begin
mobilization. it would seem that the
propriety of that sort of move would
Justify giving the country at least
a hint Of what we are in for.
This procedure bears some re-
semblance to the raising Of huge
sums OF money for the national de-
Tense. Patriotic Americans would
be willing to accept sacrifice to the
point of going hungry if convinced
that were the best. the SureSt and
quickest way to safeguard their lib
critics. But they want to know that
Self-denial will bring results. So
with the calling Of the National
Guard. Every member of il stands
ready to do his utmost for his coun-
try. and citizens will cooperate to
the fullest if they are shown it is
now time for mobilization.
Again. as was the case with APP
preparations for preparedness, the
huge requirements were and are be-
ing eased upon the public gradually.
And the country may wonder whether
or not the calling OF $4,000 guardSmen
for a wears training is but the be-
ginning Of a vast mobilization for 4
powerful army. The National Guard
numbers some 100000 men. and So
600 is only fourth Of the total II
that fourth is to be called now. it is
reasonable 10 assume that the other
three-fourthS will in due time be
pressed into service also. Why not,
then, let the country in on the little
secret from the outset so that it may
ct its stakes accordingly?
With appropriations Whitfield Off
piecemeal. and with troops called up
FOR duty in the same manner, Gould
it be possible that these together are
part of larger movement whose
ultimate objective is actual war?
Every one knows that America
cannot be prepared even for its own
defense without men. However
mechanical the preparedness pro-
gram may become, its devices are
not yet robots and must be supplied
and controlled by man power And
men cannot handle engines of de
struction without some knowledge OF
the procedure. It follows. too. that
such knowledge can be acquired
only by practice and experience.
Hence. the hint of mobilization of
the National Guard and the cam
paign for universal compulsory mill
tary training.
Most OF the reaction to suggestions
emanating from Washington for con-
scription as a permanent part OF the
nations life has been from the most
vocative element. It is by no means
certain as yet that the country aS Il
whole is in sympathy with the idea.
That much larger standing army
is needed than the country now has
is evident In the light Of threaten
ing world conditions it is urgent.
But can any one say as yet that con-
scriptiOn is the first resort TO that
end? So far there has been no APP
peal from the President OF any one
else for volunteers, other than the
quiet, even if intensive, enlistment
drive by the army, the navy and air
corps. Such procedure might have
merit if given trial.
In any event, our notion IS that
the government would find the rcac-
ton and the response Of the COlln-
try much more satisfactory and to
its liking if there were bit more
frankness about what is in mind.
--
Nazi officers, claims Toronto
newspaper, now lord it over the
conquered Polish population. After
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