Evening star., 1940-05-28
Senator Austin Sees
United and Prepared
j. ). as InvincibIe
Forum Speaker Says
Peace, Sofety Depend On
Stopping Dictotors
Continued from Page B-5.)

NOOutAuucO IIOW rage 6.C.)
means Of national defense to die
with rust.
The present deficiencies in the
American establishments for protec.
ton are partly due to the assumption
by the public that the record o1
recurrent wars-approximately every
80 years-could be ignored with
safety; that the United States is
isolated, in effect, by wide spaces OF
air and water and that whatever
happens lover there" cannot disturb
our serenity, or destroy our free in
stitutions.
In such q condition of public
opinion, the departments charged
with the duty of planning have been
unable to accomplish, in the last 2C
years, even the minimum objectives
which they have continually urged.
During the eight years that
have served in the Senate I have
observed vigorous opposition to
every appropriation for national de-
fense by conscientious Americans
within and without Congress.
Now, however, alarmed by the
velocity of the spread of dynamic
enemies Of liberty over the countries
of Asia and Europe, informed public
opinion is aroused and energized to
achieve, in the shortest practicable
time, that preparedness which ought
to prevent encroachment upon the
Western Hemisphere, both CONT
mental and insular.
United on Defense.
On national defense we are united
The strong harmony of our action
taken last week is actuated more by
the conviction that this is necessary
for our own tranquility than by
the emotion excited by the abhor-
renee of the wrong involved in the
inhuman and horrible slaughter OF
peaceful n-combatants and the
ruthless and barbaric invasion OF
neutral countries.
We perceive the significance OF
the penetration of Latin America
by totalitarian foreign policy and
the phenomenon of the fifth COL
umn."
Notwithstanding the imminence of
a presidential election, in which
there is keen competition, Republi-
cans and Democrats volunteer in a
great unit to save our country.
National defense and foreign rela-
tions are not a party ISSUE Their
administration usually is an issue.
The former disagreements which
cut across both party lines resolved
the protagonists into groups called
'1solationists," and "realists," "neu-
trails" and those called "pro-ally."
We now clearly see that our peace
and safety, and the permanence of
our Republic, depend upon stopping
totalitarian conquests.
We are encouraged to adhere to
the forms of government which have
given us higher degree of relative
liberty, and a higher standard of
civilization than elsewhere, by the
vigor of our present unity of action
and the competency with which this
Republic proceeds to arm itself ade-
quately. Without frenzy, without
excitement, and with calculated
planning, which had its genesis in
many former blue prints made by
the War and Navy Departments, we
did, within the brief period of seven
days, vitalize the Presidents plan
for adequate defense.
We are determined to preserve
democracy!
We have its ability to act wisely
and effectively without injurious loss
Of time, and without abandoning its
structural safeguards. We will con-
tinue to do this.
Roosevelt's Defense Plan.
The Presidents plan for defense Is
briefly described as follows:
l. It recognizes the effectiveness
Of providing the democracies which
are in desperate combat all the air.
craft for which they have applied or
will probably require. Therefore,
the development of our capacity to
produce will be increased above that
attained with Allied capital.
2. It will rapidly increase the rate
Of production until our capacity
equals $4,000 planes year.
The Panama Canal will have an
additional and separate set Of locks
for naval use.
Air bases will be located at strate-
gic places accommodating mobile
and quick defense of continental
United States.
Coast defenses on both oceans and
the Caribbean Sea will be improved
Anti-aircraft guns will be provided
In character and number designed to
be sufficient for the increased Army
The Army will be increased to full
capacity of its peacetime proper
tions.
When all elements of the National
Guard and o. r. G. are included, 1t
will aoprepate over I mn nOo man