Evening star., 1941-01-06

in our history.
That is why every member of
the executive branch of the Gov
ernment and every member of
the Congress face great RESPONSE
bility-and great accountability.
The need of the moment is that
our actions and our policy should
be devoted primarily-almost ex-
clusively-to meeting this foreign
peril. For all our domestic prob
lens are now part of the great
emergency.
just as our national policy in
internal affairs has been based
upon a decent respect for the
rights and dignity of all our fell
low men within our gates, so our
national policy in foreign affairs
has been based on a decent respect
for the rights and dignity of all
nations, large and small. And
the justice of morality must and
will win in the end
Committed to All-Inclusive
National Defense.
Our national policy is this:
First, by an impressive eX-
preston of the public will and
without regard to partisanship,
we are committed to all-inclusive
national defense.
Second, by an impressive ex-
preston of the public will and
without regard to partiSanShip,
we are committed to full support
of all those resolute peoples,
everywhere, who are resisting
aggression and are thereby keep
ing war away from our hemi-
sphere. BY this support. We ex-
press our determination that the
democratic cause shall prevail;
and we strengthen the defense
and security of our own Nation.
Third. by an impressive express
sion of the public will and with
out regard to partisanShip, we are
committed to the proposition
that principles of morality and
considerations for our own secur-
ity will never permit us to &C
quieSce in a peace dictated by ag-
greSsors and sponsored by ap-
peasers. We know that enduring
peace cannot be bought at the
cost of other peoples freedom.
In the recent national election
there was no substantial differ
ence between the two great par
ties in respect to that national
policy. No issue was fought out
on this line before the American
electorate. Today, it is abund-
antly evident that American citi-
zens everywhere are demanding
and supporting speedy and COM
plete action in recognition OF
obvious danger.
Therefore, the immediate need
is swift and driving increase in
our armament production.
Leaders of industry and labor
have responded to our summons.
Goals of speed have been set. In
some cases these goals are being
reached ahead of time; in some
cases We are on schedule; in other
cases there are slight but not
serious delays, and in some cases
and l am sorry to say very i'm
portant caSeS-we are all con-
cerned by the SloWneSs of the
accomplishment of our plans.
Substantial Progress Made
BY Army and Navy.
The Army and Navy, however,
have made substantial progress
during the past year. Actual ex-
perience is improving and speed
ing up our methods of produc-
tion with every passing day. And
today's best is not good enough
for tomorrow.
lam not satisfied with the prog
reSS thus far made The men
in charge of the program rep
resent the best in training, abil-
ity and patriotism. They are not
satisfied with the progress thus
far made. None of us will be
satisfied until the job is done
No matter whether the original
goal was set too high or too low.
our objective is quicker and bet
ter results.
To give two illustrations:
We are behind schedule in
turning out finished airplanes:
we are working day and night
to solve the innumerable prob
lens and to catch up.
We are ahead of schedule in
building Warships; but we are
working to get even further
ahead of schedule.
To change a whole nation from
a basis of peacetime production
of implements of peace to
basis of wartime production of
implements of war is no small
task And the greatest difficulty
comes at the beginning of the
program, when new tools and
plant facilities and new assembly
lines and ship ways must first
be constructed before the actual
material begins to flow steadily
and speedily from them.
The Congress, of course, must
rightly keep itself informed at all
times OF the progress of the pro-
gram. However, there is certain
information, as the Congress it
self will readily recognize, which,
in the interests of our own securi-
ty and those of the nations We
are supporting. must of needs be
kept in confidence.
New Circumstances Beget
New Needs for Safety.
New circumstances are con-
stantly begetting new needs for
our safety. l shall ask this Con-
guess for greatly increased new
appropriations and authoriza-
tions to carry on what we have
begun.
1 also ask this Congress for au-
thority and for funds sufficient
to manufacture additional NUM-
tions and war supplies of many
kinds, to be turned over to those
nations which are now in actual
war with aggressor nations.
Our most useful and immedi-
ate role is to act as an arsenal
for them as we'll as for ourselves.
They do not need man noWer