The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-09-03

These changes have left their stamp on every aspect of American life. They have been contested at every step by minorities that argued the country was following the 1917 road toward futile war abroad. But a majority of Congress has approved every decisive action.
 Whein Germany marched into Poland two years ago, the United States had a peacetime army and navy of 323,000 men. Today the armed forces have reached 1,886,- 900 and are rising daily.
 Cost Nears 60 Billion
 Tn the fiscal year 1899 the na- tion spent $1 ,162, ,576,92 on defense. Tn the fiscal year 1941, the United States spent $6,047, ,929,2 ,202 on arms Including future commitments, the whole program for defense and aid to anti-Axis powers is approaching $60,OO0, 100000 = twice the cost of U. s. participation in the World War.
 No shots have been exchanged between the U. s. army, navy or marines and the forces of Ger many, Italy or Japan. Two Amer ican merchant ships have been sunk = one by mines, one by a German submarine.
 American marines are garrisoned aS Iceland. The Atlantic fleet guards the biggest section of Brit fans sea lifelines between North America and England. The Pacific fleet watches Japan.
 Taxes and Living Costs Up
 The people of the United States face S3,500, 100000 of new taxes as 6 start toward paying for defense and indirect participation in the war. The cost of living is rising Gasoline rationing is imminent.
 Young men of the nation serve in the army under conscription They must serve at least IA or l6 months, possibly longer.
 Only thread of formal diplo- matic relations remains between the United States and the two Eu- r>peAn Axis partners, Early this summer, the State Department asked Germany to close its consult ates in this country and conduct its affairs through its embassy in Washington alone. Germany re- piled with similar order; Italy did likewise. The United States then asked Italian consuls to re- turn home.
 During most of the first year oi the war, the United States clune to the leash and carry terms ot its revised neutrality law.
 The turning point came with a rush when the French army-the best in the world"-co collapsed be- fore the onslaught of the modern : eapons of Germany.
 \ Mass Production Era Opens Congress voted billions to equir nd man an army, an air force ' md & bigger navy, but guns do not follow appropriations as night does day, and the mass production k just beginning.
 To "buy time" for defense, as the administration put 1t, Congress voted to throw $7,Ooo,o00,o0o into the British war effort on the IeaSe-lenQ pIau'
 This is how the events of the last two years involving this coun' try look in the calendar of history:
 1889
 Sept. l-When Adolf Hitler a1- nounced to the world that his army had started to move into Poland and Britain and France fulfilled their commitments by dc. claring war on Germany three days later, the laws of the United States were designed for strict neutrality American arms could not be sold tc belligerents.
 Sept. 5-President Roosevelt pro- claimed American neutrality and technically shut the nation of from the wars of the world. Three days later he issued his proclama- ton of 6 limited" national emer- gency.
 Oct. 2-Foreign ministers of 2t