The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1941-08-25
INVITATION TO FIGHT
MONDAY, AUGUST %. 1871

INVITATION TO FIGHT
1t was virtually an invitation to
Hitler TO fight II he dares, at least
that is the way it sounded to some
when Prime Minister Winston
Churchill in his Sunday address
said Hitler certainly had enough
reason to open war on the United
States. The thought was clothed in
we'll chosen words, but 1t seemed to
give the feeling that Mr.. Churchill
would like very much to see the
4 United States go full length into
the war.
In way Of assurance and building
confidence he emphasized che readi-
ness on the part OF England to aid
the United States II We get into war
with Japan.
Aside from a slight throat irrita-
ton which caused occasional cough
\ ing, the British war leader seemed
to be in good health and in good
spirit. His tone was hopeful and en-
couraging and for the British people
that is essential. The morale of the
British people is holding up most
admirably. Perhaps they are a bit
too confident. for according to mill
tary men, they should be striking
I hard blows now while Germany is
busy in Russia. Instead OF striking
they are taking breathing spell"
And you remember AL. Smiths
famous explanation of a breathing
spell, after President Roosevelt had
announced breathing spell for the
business men Of the United States.
Smith said a breathing spell is the
brief space of time that fighter
gives his opponent before delivering
the knockout blow. Some commenta-
tors fear that Hitler may have such
thoughts In mind as he encourages
England to breathe at ease for a
few weeks while he arranges for oil,
fuel and food in Russia before turn
ing attention again to the major
, project.
Britain anxiously awaits word
from Japan now. The army and the
public want to know how the Japan
. csc will respond to Churchill's prom
Use to line up with the United States
In case Of war. AS a matter OF fact
that was a rather extreme statement
in view OF England's present prom
inent position in the war. What
some listeners read into this prom
Use is that England wants the United
States in the war as quickly as pos
sible and that trouble with Japan
may lead to logical starting place.
England would continue along the
course already started. IT. would be
a case OF the United States helping
England rather than England help
ing the United States. The way Mr..
Churchill put it, however, sounds
better in England and we are too
much in sympathy with England to
split hairs. We want to see England
win and We are rushing supplies
with that aim.
The first word from Japan on the
-Jilare hill speech was Reuters
,b.itishJ dispatch stating that
Lnurchill's references to Japan were
Annoying and that Japan is mot
Lienacing anybody"
Touching a wide range OF sub
jects, Churchill praised the mag
nificent' Russian resistance against
Germany and declared that for the
first time "Nazi blood has flowed
In a fearful flood"
He said that certainly 100000
perhaps 100000 Of Nazi cannon
fodder have bit the dust of the end
less plains of Russia" He added
that the Nazi war machine has been
surprised, stopped and staggered"
Recalling that in the S-point
declaration, he and President Roose-
welt Jointly pledged their countries
TO the final destruction OF the Nazi
tyranny" Churchill said. This is a
solemn and grave undertaking. 1t
must be made good. 1t will be made
good. And, OF course, many practical
arrangements to fulfill that purpose
have been and are being organized
and set In motion"
In the United States, Administra-
ton supporters seem to approve
the British prime minister's address
warning Japan against further ex-
pansion moves while Sen. Wheeler
Cd Mont, leading non-intervention-
list. brands It an attempt to fright
en- the. United States into war
with the idea that we must get in
now or else Hitler will get us.
Rep. Sol Bloom (D) N. Y, chair
man OF House Foreign Affairs Com
mittee. says Churchill has given
new hope to the conquered nations
and to the enslaved people OF the
world"
Sens. Thomas Cd Utah and Cap
per (R) kans.. members OF the Sen
ate Foreign Relations Committee,
also support the prime minister's
stand on the tense Far-Eastern
situation.
There will naturally be sharp diff.
ferences Of opinion. but IL is the
kind OF speech that would be ex-
pected. 1t was we'll presented. We
shall expect something similar
when President Roosevelt speaks
and we may expect the same gen.
eral tone from Russia.
II England and Russia hope to
win they must stick together. They
both need the aid OF the United
States, so they must work together
on That issue. II puts President
Roosevelt in a difficult position. He
has promised TO keep the United
States out Of war. He will be a hero