The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1940-09-05
Senator Wheeler's Position
IeWistown Democrat-News)

tLeWistoWn Democrat News
In summarizing his opinion to the
Burke Wadsworth military conscrip-
ton bill Friday, Senator Wheeler of
Montana who has led the hard fight
against that measure expressed it as
his belief that this country is in no
danger of attack by any foreign ma
ton or combination of powers and
further. that the British navy has
not contributed to the defense of
this country and that Great Britain
is not our first line of defense
# We could accept the premises
upon which Senator Wheeler bases
his opposition to compulsory mil
itary training we would be in COM
plete accord with him in the posi-
ton he has assumed in the present
controversy. The idea Of peacetime
military consumption is no more
agreeable to the editor of this news
paper than ii is to Senator Wheeler.
We would strongly reject the
thought Of such an action by our
government If we were not con-
vinced beyond any question of doubt
that it is absolutely necessary to
safeguard our country against
threatened disaster. We do not
agree with the Senator's view that
there is no danger of attack from
abroad. We do not agree that Great
Britain does not at the present time
constitute a first line of defense
against such threatened attack. We
cannot agree that the British navy
lis not at this time preventing de-
velopments which would gravely
| jeopardize the security and peace of
! this country We are firmly con-
vinced that if the totalitarian powers
win their war in Europe, we shall
be directly attacked in such fashion
as TO make our entrance into an
armed conflict with them a practical
certainty.
The first phase of that attack
may be economical If we accede to
the economical terms which those
powers will lay down, it will mean
domestic confusion of the most far
reaching effects upon the we'll be-
ing of the people of this country.
We will, in that instance be under
the necessity of adopting the fatal
policy Of 'appeasement" or reconcile
ourselves TO armed conflict. as
Britain was finally compelled to do.
We sincerely believe that we may be
absolved from this stern necessity If
Britain succeeds in defeating Ger
many and, for that reason. hold the
former country at this moment our
first line of defense If il were not
for the British navy. we would be
practically defenselesS on either our
eastern or our western border since
we possess only a "one- ocean navy
at the present time
i We are unable to ignore both the
direct and implied threats against
this country made by Adolph Hit
Ter and Benito Mussolini. We cannot
ignore the plain implication of ad-
mitted and widespread fifth column
activities, sponsored by Germany
particularly. in this country. Those
activities are in no manner diff
ferent from those pursued by Nazi
Germany in Norway. Holland Bel
GUM and France.
We view the present conflict in
Europe not merely as war between
rival powers. inspired by ancient
racial antagonisms. the desire for
revenge and territorial gain. but
as a revolutionary movement de-
signed by the aggressorS to destroy
democratic government wherever it
may exist and set I'D in its place
the totalitarian system Of govern
ment.
Our reasoning will not permit us
to believe that If the last Of the free
governments Of Europe. that of
Great Britain, is overthrown. as
were those of the scandinavian
countries, Holland and France. the
victorious totalitarian states will not
feel impelled to make their victory
complete by attempting to destroy
the only surviving democracy of any
consequence on the globe. that of
the United States Of America.
1 We respect Senator Wheeler's
right to his own views and give
him credit for sincerity of purpose.
but are just as sincerely fixed in
our own views. We are profoundly
thankful that we live in a country
in which Senator Wheeler can ex-
press his views without restraint of
any sort but also believe that if
his position should be sustained and
translated into national policy. he,
or at least his children, might some
day be denied that precious priv
ilege.