Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-01-18
Aid ID Britain

"A majority of Americans will demand our
complete entry into the present struggle the
moment they are convinced that failure to
declare war will vitality -endanger our Liberties
and our way Of life.
II follows that the only serious question
before us today is not whether one hates war,
or hates or admires the British but simply
whether or not Naz Germany does represent
such vital menace.
Decision on this question should be based
exclusively on a calm weighing of all the evis
dence for and against. and on investigation
not only of the character of the witnesses but
of their experience and knowledge of the facts.
The President and Secretary Hull have the
reports of our numerous representatives
abroad. but every citizen, if he will but take
the time. can secure the reports of the many
American newspapermen who, likewise, have
spent years abroad in the study of conditions.
Now il is a fact which can be checked
that the large majority of these reporters
and editors agree with the large majority of
the governments men in the conclusion that
the Nazi revolution. unless defeated, will de-
stroy our freedom just as they have that of
the European deH4eefatie-eafitaiistie states.
Personally | accept this evidence. In
addition, l rely on mY-nM study the
writings and speeches of the German leaders
and on my own observation during many
years spent in the Near East and Europe, of
the subiugation of the German people by the
Nazi revolution and its conquest eff the=Bai--
kans by the weapons of economic pressure,
sabotage of morale fear, lies and treachery.
#~R
Already Hitler is waging this form Of war
against us and our neighbors in Latin Amer
Al IL 80 H.
attack will be governed only by his own
strategy.
l accept the conclusion reached by many
that Hitler could not afford to permit the
long continued survival of a free, democratic
and strong America in an otherwise slave
world.
But to my mind, the greatest and the most
immediate threat to America. if Britain falls
or makes a compromise negotiated peace lies
in the following considerations:
Ito avoid economic collapse. Hitler will
i have to devote all of his efforts with
out delay, to European RECONSTRUCTION.
DO attain this he must re-establish, and
e protect, uninterrupted imports of vital
raw materials which Europe can produce
only in insufficient quantities or not at all.
C-There is only one single area in the
~ Noflu tHdt can pFOuuce All OF EUROPE
essential imports and that is our neighbor.
Latin America. The only alternative would
be for Hitler TO control connections with at
least four widely separated sources
l-Germany has long and consistently de-
voted more effort toward economic
domination of Latin America than to any
other area outside Europe.
Fin Latin America. today the national
and Italian colonists with military training
In our Western Hemisphere German fifth
column" activities are better developed than
they were in Europe just before the out
break of war. 81
c-Through economic pressure and ideo-
u logical infiItration closely parallel TO
that employed by Germany in the Balkans.
an important proportion of the leaders and
population in Latin America have already
been won TO support of a Nazi victory.
This evidence along with much that has
been written. has convinced me that once
Germany has achieved victory or compro-
mise peace in Europe. Hitler will proceed with
out delay TO secure the mastery of Latin
America
Such bases could be secured without war
and air bases IN that area are known to exist
today under the control Of German companies
This is the Nazi practice made perfect in
the Balkans-the exchange of war materials
and installations for raw materials. and the
supply by Germany of "techncians" to or
ganize the training Of local units in the use
Of this equipment.
Only by an act Of war could the United
States interrupt tsis legitimate commerce or
the dispatch by Gdmsny 81 some hundreds Of
thousands of "colohists -, tourists" and stu
dents"
ROBERT II. MCDOWELL.
Ills South Forest avenue,
Ann Arbor, Mich.