Evening star., 1941-11-05

pocket, and that monstrous klnd
that perches on stand and wears
a corduroy waistcoat-and there
isn't a word listed that fits the Dill.
You can go from AARDVARK to
ZYMURGY without finding word
that describes the present WASH
ington- Berlin setup.
There is great need for WORD
that means shooting peace or
"bloody,neutrality" or fighting cor
dial relations" We aren't a. war
with Germany. and We have that
on the authority Of the President.
/ In commenting on the sinking OF
our warship. Reuben James. the
President said he saw nothing IN
the affair that might precipitate
a break of diplomatic relations with
Germany.
! At the same time. We aren't ex-
actly at peace with the Nazis.
When a foreign power starts firing
torpedoes into the hull OF your
/ fighting craft and letting ny at
unarmed merchantmen with the
same strong stuff, it ceases TO be
a bosom pal.
! So if we aren't at war and We
aren't at peace with Germany, what
are We? Are We in a state that
could be termed "warpax" for want
of something better? Or would
acknowledgements be happier
description? That's the aim Of this
contest To create word that will
fit a situation that must be the
most bizarre this country has been
in since it came into being.
OF all the people who would vel.
come a word that would describe
our strange stand, We imagine that
those who have lost sons and hus-
bands and fathers on the Kearnev
and Reuben James would be the
most appreciative. They must be
completely baff1ed by the theory
that a war isn't war until ths
parties pulling the triggers formally
declare hostilities. as if they were
announcing new dress shop or
warning creditors against a wife
who has left bed and board.
They must wonder, too, Just what
sort Of statesman 1t is who feels
that bullet isn't bullet until it
has been given the approval of a
legislative body. Who can ever
make it clear to them that a tor
pedo doesn't explode just as violent.
~ or bit Of shrapnel tear Just as
savagely in an undeclared war as a
declared one? Who would ever con.
vince them that the waters of the
Atlantic are not as cold and merci-
less. no matter what the formalities?
And what do You think the men
who lost their lives on the Kearny
and Reuben James would say if they
could speak again? What would
be their word for the condition that
ended their time on earth? To
them, and the ones who loved them,
this phoney peace between the
United States and Germany is as
much of a conflict as If open and
all-out war had been racing for
years. They've given their all.
1t seems to us that Washington
should explain to the American peo-
pie the why's and wherefores OF the
country's position. If We can best
serve England and Russia by not
declaring war and taking advantage
of cock-eyed technicality. let us
know all about 1t. If We are fend.
Ing for time, or don't want to force
Japan's hand. let US know that too.
If We have no intention of ever
openly declaring war and getting
into the thick of it, let the people
know it.
1t is high time that the public was
tipped of on what is likely to hap
pen. AS 1t Is now, SO per cent of the
citizens are bewildered by the whole
thing, The average American SIM
ply can't comprehend why part OF
our Navy is fighting and the rest
isn't. He would like to know the
answers. If our warships are TO
sail out to face the enemy why
shouldn't they have the full pro-
lection of every bomber, combat
plane and fighting craft we have
available?
In short, We the people of tho
United States, would like to know
whether We are in the war or not
In the war. It's pretty serious
business and have We or have We
not the right to know?
Distributed by Mcknight Syndicate. Incl