Milford chronicle., 1940-08-09
National Defense
NJ 8. goNEa

j
twenty-five or thirty years age
Germany stood out In frort as q
producer Of manufactured goods
chemicals, dyes, toys. games, etc. In
the years between 18f4-17 we dis
covered that Germany was a mill
tary nation far superior To other
European powers. German sabotage
in this country, such 80 the Blacl.
Tom explosion, German diplomatic
blunders, and attacks upon our
ships by German raiders drove us
into the war.
The United States built up such
gigantic military strength that the
war was won for the Allies. We
captured few ships that have since
been declared Obsolete" and ac-
cepted a warehouse full OF European
IOU's that have turned out to be Of
very little value.
But we did gain many rich re-
wards when we seized German pa
tents and proceeded to develop our
own dyes and a variety OF chemicals,
and free ourselves from depending
upon Germany for many goods and
products which are now made bet
ter here at home within our own
borders.
The ayowed object to make the
World safe for democracy" failed,
and for about 20 years the United
States has been minding its own
business and leading the World in
discoveries and development Of the
more abundant life In a quarter of
a century we have made gains in our
Objectives that are more important
than in all previous times since the
landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth
In 1921 a disarmament confer
ence" met in Washington, and a
treaty was signed by important ma
tions that pledged themselves to re-
duce their navies. The United States
sunk some Of its ships, and for many
years our Nation showed its faith
in other Governments by reducing
the volume of our military prepar-
edness. The United States developed
mass production of products of ev-
cry class that might possibly be US
ed or employed for human and eco
nomic improvement. We were at
peace with the World.
Meanwhile the United States at
tanned mastery in the fields of sci
ence, inventions, chemistry, and
other activities for the production of
war machinery that would make !
things dangerous for Nations and |
countries that challenged demo-
cracy. France and England main
tanned military establishments of |
brave men" who worked about half |
as many hours a day for human inn
as Germany,s people did |
for destruction of their old enemies. |
After a few exciting weeks of the |
European war we Americans can see
things and measure results better
than we could at first Our own at
has cleared and we can l
look back over recent European
events and think, and plan, more /
5anely, since we face the fact that /
German mechanical warfare is as
perfect in it's construction as the
peace time mechanism in the United
States.
There has been a rude awaken
ng" in Washington that reveals has
~, mistaken and poor judgment on
he part of the Administration and
he Congress, including leaders of
III political beliefs. However, there
s general conviction backed by pub
ic sentiment that this is not Am
,rica's war, and one way to stay out
If it is for the Government to stick
within its rules as a neutral. We
eem to have challenged other war
ing nations to come over here and
hOot us up, before we are prepared
o receive them.
The United States took a couple of
ears on from its peaceful routine
nd spent its time preparing to win
he World War. Plenty of prepara-
ion brought US success. The decis-
on has again been reached that this
Government must carry out speedy
lans for National Defense. Billions {
t money has been voted for that
Our factories need a years !
ime to deliver unlimited military
upplies through processes of mass
reduction. After that any of those {
Dictators who desire to take chances
an come over here and get licked
'oTse than they were in 1918. Il
They are too busy 'over there" to /.
other with us now. So, let's be pa
ent and consistent and safeguard
ur Law of Neutrality from getting :
ut of joint.