Evening star., 1940-05-16
Text of President RooseveIt's MESSAGE
Continued From First Page.)

Continued From First Page.)
are part of the new technique OF
modern war.
The element Of surprise which
has ever been an important tactic
In warfare has become the more
dangerous because of the amaz-
ing speed with which modern
equipment can reach ana attack
the enemy's country.
Hemisphere Protection Calls
For Ready-at-Hand Weapons.
Our own vital interests are
widespread. More than ever the
protection of the whole American
Hemisphere against invasion or
control or domination by nom
American nations has the united
support Of the 81 American re-
publics, including the United
States. More than ever this pro-
lection calls for ready-at-hand
weapons capable of great mo-
bility because Of the potential
speed of modern attack.
The Atlantic and Pacific Oceans
were reasonably adequate de-
fensive barriers when fleets
under sail could move at an
average speed Of five miles an
hour. Even then by a sudden
foray it was possible for an op-
ponent actually to burn our Ma
tional Capitol. Later, the oceans
still gave strength to our defense
when fleets and conveys pro-
PEELED by steam could sail the
oceans at Is or 20 miles an hour.
But the new elenent-air navi-
gation-steps up the speed OF
possible attack to 200 to 800
miles an hour.
Furthermore, it brings the new
possibilities of the use of nearer
bases from which an attack or
attacks on the American conti-
nents could be made. From the
fiords of Greenland it is four
hours by air to Newfoundland;
five hours to Nova Scotia, New
Brunswick and Quebec, and only
six hours to New England.
The Azores are only 1000 miles
from parts of our Eastern sea-
board, and If Bermuda fell into
hostile hands it is a matter of
less than three hours for mod
ern bombers to reach our shores.
From a basin in the outer West
Indies the coast of Florida could
be reached in 200 minutes.
The islands off the west coast
OF Africa are only $500 miles
from Brazil. Modern planes
starting from the Cape Verde
Islands can be over Brazil In
seven hours.
Aggressor Must BE Attacked
Before He Wins Bases.
And Para, Brazil, is but four
flying hours to Caracas, Venezu-
ella; and Venezuela but two and
one-half hours to Cuba and the
Canal Zone; and Cuba and the
Canal Zone are two and one
fourth hours to Tampico, Mex
leo. and Tampico is two and one
fourth hours to st. Louis, Kansas
City and Omaha.
On the other side Of the
continent Alaska, with q white
population of only $4,000 people,
is within four or i've hours of
flying distance to Vancouver, Sc
atatle, Tacoma and Portland.
The islands Of the Southern Pa
ciflc are not too far removed
from the west coast of South
America to prevent them from
becoming bases of enormous stra-
tegic advantage to attacking
forces.
Surely, the developments of the
past few weeks have made it
clear to all Of our citizens that
the possibility of attack on vital
American zones ought to make it
essential that we have the physi-
cal, the ready ability to meet
those attacks and to prevent
them from reaching their OBJ
jectives.
This means military imple-
ments-not on paper-which are
ready and available to meet any
lightning offensive against our
American interest. It means also
that facilities for production
must be ready to turn out NUM-
tions and equipment at top speed.
We have had the lesson before
us over and over again-nations
that were not ready and were
unable to get ready found them
selves overrun by the enemy.
So-called impregnable fortifica-
tions no longer exist. A defense
which allows an enemy to con-
solidate his approach without
hindrance will lose. A defense
which makes no effective effort
to destroy the lines of supplies
and communications of the enc
my will lose.
An effective defense by its very
nature requires the equipment to
attack an aggressor on his route
before he can establish strong
bases within the territory Of
American vital interests.
Defensive Strength Improved
Greatly in Recent Years.
Loose talking and thinking on
the part Of some may give the
false impression that our own
Army and Navy are not first
rate, or that money has been
wasted on them.
Nothing could be further from
the truth.
In recent years the defensive
power Of our Army, Navy and
Marine Corps has been very
greatly improved.
The Navy Is stronger today
than at any time In the Ma.
tion's history. Today also . large
program Of new construction u
wen under vasa Ship TOR ship