Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1941-05-29
Il Might Be
[Wrong--BUT
by P. G. Stromberg

Although it was couched in
smooth rhetoric and lacked
dictatorial tone President Roose-
velt's admonition to both labor
and capital in his fireside chat
Tuesday night left no doubt in
the minds of thinking people
that, "at long last" the time has
come to put stop to delays in
our defense program. From our
position at home that is the most
heartening part of the Presi-
dents address to the nation.
While the talk was devoted
mostly to Americas policies in
the present world crisis the real
meat of the talk was the pro-
clamation decreeing the exist
ence of an unlimited national
emergency. This decree auto
matically places tremendous
additional powers in the Gov
eminent and eliminates much
time-consuming red tape. Every
phase of life in America becomes
subject to governmental super
vision in the interest of national
welfare.
The President could have done
the same thing weeks ago be-
cause the American public has
! been ready for it. / wonder,
sometimes, whether the Presi-
dents advisors and members OF
Congress are aware of the extent
of popular support of an aggres-
sive attitude toward the Axis
powers. And the Presidents
challenge to Hitler gave express
sion to the thoughts and feelings
of millions Of patriotic Ameri-
cans. His re-assertion Of our
traditional championship Of free
dom of the seas; his assurances
to our sister American republics
and his renewed pledge to Britain
were stated in terms which left
no doubt as to where this coun-
try stands.
Tuesday was a blue day for
Hitler and his Nazis for it re-
corded the loss of the Bismark
and it brought from America a
complete answer to the challenge
of Admiral Raeder, of the Ger
man Fleet, regarding the con-
z voying of shipments to Britain.
If the German hope was that
Admiral Readers statement to
the effect that "convoys meant
shooting" would have deterring
effect on the Presidents pro-
nouncement they were doomed to
bitter disappointment because it
had the reverse effect. Regard
ing our shipment of supplies the
President said, "The delivery of
needed supplies to Britain is
imperative. This can be done;
it must be done; it WILL be
DONE" He didn't say we would
use conveys but he didn't say we
would not use them. By his
statement that we will deliver
the goods to Britain we must
assume he meant that what
ever means may be found
expedient will be adopted and
if that means conveys by our
Navy, such will be our course.
We are not in the war. It is
to be hoped that we will not be
forced into it. But to avoid be-
ing forced into it we are not go
ing to run away from our
pledges. If we are to justify
our position as the big brother
of the twenty-one American re-
publics we must do more than
make speeches, pay taxes and
preach the dead doctrine of iso-
lationism. We must prove our
right to leadership and that
proof rests in the course we
adopt with regard to any chal-
lenge of our protectorate of the
Western Hemisphere and with
how efficiently and abundantly
we are able to fulfill our pledge
Of aid to Britain. President
Roosevelt has stated our case.
Our Navy is prepared to do its
part whenever it might be called
upon. Our Industries are ready
to pour out production. All this
win be Of no avail unless the en-
tire weight is placed in the bal
ance against Hitler and his CAM
paIgn Of destruction.
4 IS likely that May n. 1871.