The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1940-10-03

air, that the plea was for the United
States to send more airplanes to fight
the enemies of France in the air, and
prevent destruction of her infantry
The lesson of what transpired in France
is clear, and the conclusion unacceptable
And again, we have the example of
Londan subject to air raids, with ruin
of property, death and destruction of
men, women and children in her great
population. Over two million men are
under arms in England, but they are
unable to defend the City of London
The war is literally a battle in the
air, and success or failure will in a
large part depend upon the ability to
fight in the air. AS part of our eX-
panding National Defense program, the
building of several thousand airplanes,
the training of pilots, crews, and mech
anicS is of vital Importance. Some eX-
perts have gone so far as to advocate
a separate air force for National de-
Tense. They do this on the theory that
it should be independent of the War
Department and also the Navy Depart
ment, and that a separte agency to
handle air defense would lead to more
efficiency and better results.
Canadian-U S. Defense Pact
In harmony with world developments,
the President on August 18th, con-
ferred with the Prime Minister of Can
ada, and they agreed to appoint
inf ri Of fl1n TInitoI
States and Canada. All will applaud
this step, whereby two great countries
of the world join for mutual protection,
and for the protection of forms of
government where human freedom is
recognized and Sanctified Defense
against totalitarian ideas of government
must be available, and adequately SO,
if our Republic is to make certain of
its existence. We must remember that
when danger threatens Canada, our own
safety is at stake. And, whatever hap
pens to the United States, is of direct
concern to our neighbor to the north.
Great Britain
The transfer of fifty destroyerS to
Great Britain and the acquisition of air |
and military bases in the Western |
was most important in
cident in a chain of circumstances |
which makes preparation for National |
Defense so that the safety of the |
Western hemisphere can be assured be- |
cause what affects one nation has a re-
ationship to all others, and the United |
States is directly interested. Not |
much emphasis has been placed on the |
TACT that Great Britain is now one of |
our best customers. A vast program is
Under way whereby Great Britain pur-
,hases from the private concerns in the
United States all kinds of war ma
,erials. During August, shipment of
Implements of war to Great Britain.
vas authorized by our State Depart
nent to the value of over 1O2 millions
If dollars. Airplanes, guns, powder,
md all kinds of implements of war are
being supplied her Recently, the en-
ire floor of one of the down. town
hotels was leased by a commission
representing the British government,
ent here from London for the pur-
,ose OF speeding up the purchase Of war
materials.
To most of us civilians, the subject
# tin would not be associated with a
National Defense program. 1t is in
eresting to note, therefore, that tin
S a strategic war material, and we
lave to get it from abroad. Specifi-
ally, our source of supply is from the
Cast Indies. Hence, we are concerned
With the moves that Japan makes She
las watchful eye on the East Indies,
md our state department is following
imilar procedure. We have enough tin
o last for eleven months, and this ex-
plains why we are so interested in those
colonies.
The American Way of Life
Why all of this activity? The answer
S that new force seeks to dominate
world affairs. 1t can be described in