The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1941-12-26
KEY WEST AND TIE wAn

have seen the rise and fan of
nations, prepared and unpre-
pared.
There Is no secret why Eng
land suffered disastrous defeats
at Dunkerque and Crete: for the
Officers Of the British Army and
Navy were recruited from the
mob lily. whereas the enemy
pickles the flowers OF their youth
and developed one Of the most
powerful fighting forces in the
world.
Britain had to 60 through ter
rife blitzes TO eradicate the
class distinctions that were as
powerful as the castes Of India.
There IS far more preparat ons
being made in KEY West in the
line Of vital defense than IN the
capitol Had you read and list
ened 70 Representative Nichols
report On Nazi activities in South
America. The political leaders
give Us assurances Of Pan Amer
ican solidarity. but every evil
dence proves there Is evident
disaffection among the imni-
grants from the axis nations.
Florida is the most vulner-
able point Of penetration in the
United States. Ships drawing
more han 10 or IS feet OF water
cannot pass through the North
west Passage, and could easily
be blocked at points if ships were
sunk IN such places. If the main
ship channel should become
hlockaded il is hardly probable
submarines could pass through
the Northwest Passage. Key
West is part Of the United
States and its loyalty can be
vonchsafed for. Can we have as
surances that bases on foreign
sol win always be available to
our ships7 The Latin tempera-
meni Is not even-prior years
have proven this from the num-
erons revolutions which have
swept one power into office and
diminished the career Of other
political aspirants.
To the observer there looms
the possibility and probability
thgf some day this island may
become a complete navy and mill
tarv unit In the event of
bombing the civilian population
world suffer heavily as in Ha-
waii ard the Philippines.
What precautions have been
taken to provide air raid war
dens. aux liary police, first aid
equipment and stations? II Is
not at all improbable that Japan
anese transports disguised as
merchant ships and planes from
fields hidden in the mountain
fasfness Of nearby countries
could land in force on the
beaches above Miamig The ex-
cellent highways would make
access easy for motorized forces
Sxeepnk Down TO Miami itself
ArIerIea has follqwed the
thoreI,h and democ fasie way BY
4nditg me rlentally,l 19Trnslly
and physically equipped aeh ins-
Il tsilghting forces and equip-
1hent 81 ifsfk ff ffffff4 4
We arr not fa.ly geared for
1lur but the win Of the Ameri-
can people is ring Of steel
against the invading foe The
MARINES az Wake Island are
FIGHTING against terrific odds.
ana as to why the air and land
forces have not been able 10 re-
lIeve them may be answered by
the daily communicates from Luz
ION and Oahu of the terrific as
saults by land. sea. and air OF
japanese forces.
America is at war, this IS
grim business and travelling
south has convinced me many
people as yet believe We are In
~ danger. I saw the meaning OF
ranic not very long ago when N
4 certain office which was quiet
II at work, came the sound OF a
voice. ~All nurses and nurses
s,des stand BY. New York IS ex-
pect.ng an air raid and Washing
Tn may have one shortly
Unit q few days ago. putting
Aants Of steel were stuffing
iheir hungry maws into the
bsaut ful White House lawn, the
stately old elms were falling be
meath The axe. newly-built pick
~ fence kept the curious crowds
hack I have witnessed change
"A complacency TO one Of grim
deternination You stand in
crouds and look at anxious faces
scanning the headlines. The
whurr Of motors overhead-Is il
oufs7
Al vet no gan emplaceinents
ike those in London have been
mace ia the capitol Machine
c,,nk are on roof tops. soldiers
egard vital points and the city
ruskes ca with training auxili-
arv police. air raid and fire war;
dens Every precaution is be-