Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1940-08-29
/ Might Be

by P. G. StrOmbere

10y - 49, =
Sentiment in this country
favors England almost unani-
mously. Still there is no indi-
cation of any healthy sentiment
in favor of giving Britain actual
military assistance. Even the
lending or sale of obsolete mill
tary equipment raises objections
which arouse the entire popula-
ton. Why? Are we afraid of
our own convictions? Are we
SO short sighted that we can't
visualize the catastrophe condi-
ton of our own defense in the
event England is brought to her
knees? Will we be recorded in
history as once great nation
whose lack of will and decision
at a critical moment wrote the
final chapter to democratic gov
eminent? Are we allowing a
political campaign to becloud
actual conditions? Are our
leaders more interested in their
personal ambitions than in the
country's security? Any Of
those questions prompts a vehe-
ment negative. But can they be
dismissed simply because we
want the answer to be negative?
Definitely not. And an affirma-
tive answer to any one of
them means disaster. We should
not stand idly by while a brother
is struggling for existence when
we know that if the brother fails
the same force will be directed
against US. Why not have the
courage to give the brother aid
while he IS still able to give .
good account of himself? IN
THE MOST Selfish SENSE
WE CAN'T GIVE TOO MUCH
AID TO BRITAIN.
A
What do they need? They
need airplanes. They need
bombs. They need guns and
ammunition and they need naval
reserves. They need some of
our surplus destroyers so that
Italy can be not only kept in
narrow circle but so that Britain
might be able to give Signor
Mussolini a dose of the medicine
he has so fervently sought.
More than anything they need
the moral support which tends
to maintain their esprit de corps
while at the same time having
an adverse effect on the enemy
morale.
Il 4 4
We have a percentage of
people who can not bring them
selves to a pro- British attitude
even though they are completely
anti : Fascist. They condemn
Britain for her sins of past CEN
turtles and fail to acknowledge
her role in the present conflict
as the fighting champion of indi-
vidual rights and liberty. These
citizens are usually well in
formed and intelligent men and
women in important social and
business positions and they are
allowing their inborn prejudices
sufficient sway to influence their
Judgment against what is best
for America herself. Animosi-
ties and resentments absorbed
from forbears are deeply rooted
and hard to dislodge. Through
history England has done much
to merit the i'll feeling of many
nationals, including our own
country. l do, however, most
earnestly endorse the proposition
mat all we can give Britain
today is not too much. And I
say this with a spirit of pro-
Americanism - not as a pro-
Britisher!
4 4 4
Even though many of US are
impatient with the slowness Of
our rearmament program, it is
encouraging to digest the high
lights of the Senate debate on
conscription. The bill has
nnally been passed after elm
nation of several Objectionable
features. Ere snow flies our
program should be well under
way both in man power and
production Of equipment. Once
IN high gear it should be only
short time before we can
claim adequate defense.