Imperial Valley press., 1940-07-09

are in traditions and technicalitieS, there
is no agreement between them. Each has
lis own petty opinions about scores Of
gingerbread items Even the type of
gasoline specified by the Navy is differ
ent from that demanded by the Army.
why this strange laundering? Why
this tragic Indifference? Why, of all
parties, must the Army and the Navy of
this country stand in the way of our i'm
mediate needs in defense?
The bald truth is that the Army and
Navy, like the American people them
selves, have 'peace-time psychology.
Their plans and systems for procurement
(and both the Army and Navy would de
ny this bitterly, We're developed IN and
are adapted to peace. when time is not
the all-important factor Both have
prided themselves on the quality of limit
ed equipment rather than quantity-a few
tailor-made units rather than quantity
production.
starved, as the Army and Navy have
been in years past. both have learned
that there is feast or a famine under
the democratic system A period of pub
lie defense anxiety to them is an oppor-
tunity to get vast, longdelayed appro-
priatonS. chance to fill the sock for
Il long time to come.
Judging by the orders actually placed
for vital planes and anti-bltzkrieg equip
ment to defend the country, the army
and navy take the peril Of immediate
military attack no more seriously than
might a farmer in the Quietude of the
Missouri OZarks.
Yet, if the danger of military attack
on this country is not immediate. it prob
ably does not exist at all.
The fact is. the plans for that attack
already are completed in the Hitler port
folio. as were those for attacking Poland.
Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands. Bel
GUM France and England. We are hay
ing our turn now at the same peace prop
uganda" which lulled these nations into
Il false feeling of security
This country is the only country in
the world capable of successfully resist
ing Hitler, economically and in a mill
tary way But Hitler does not wait for
an enemy to prepare.
If the United States is not attacked by
the armed forces of Hitler in matter
of months. it will be due to one of two
things = D Successful resistance by
England; or (2) Axis war with Russia.
The American people is not to blame
for the situation in which they find them
selves. itN NlllIllS u uldht Nlldl-
ever sacrifices are necessary to defend
their liberties and their country. They
are not demanding long range "sOcializ-
ed war planning" nor do they want the
scourge of war perfumed with words
about the abundant life.
They want the Army and Navy-to
whom they have given the task of their
defense-to do this Job efficiently and
IN TINE; and they want those they
have chosen to represent them in govern
ment to see that this is done.
They will accept no explanations from
Army. Navy or politicians.
Five weeks ago. in a widely published
Preparedness Platform, we called for:
Shaking up the Army and Navy per-
sonnet, and smashing red tape and cum
bersome inspection technique, which
throttles mass production Of planes and
other vital war equipment"
Five weeks have gone and this has not
been done. MEANWHILE this country has
announced Monroe Doctrine policies that
q victorious Hitler will not accept.
SEVEN Add it all up and the conclu-
sion is {: 1t is time our Democracy showed
efficiency instead of ability to garner
votes get soft jobs, and run this country