Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1941-02-13
Now Is The Time For
DeliberatiOn

DellDeratlOn
We Americans had enough expert
ence with war during the World war
days, so that most of us now desire
to remain out of war. Therefore,
we are confronted today with this
big question: How can we best re-
main at peace?
That question should be freely
discussed so long as we are listed
with the peaceful nations. During
the recent national campaign, we
were told many times by the candi-
dates for president, Mr.. Roosevelt and
Mr.. Willkie, that it was their great
desire to have America stay out of
war.
So much is said about saving de-
mocracy. Democracy is not saved
on the battlefields nearly so much as
it is lost through neglect of practic-
ing fair dealing, tolerance, and a
spirit of live and let live in our daily
affairs. We build democracy when
we maintain representative govern
ment and when our people enjoy
security and independence, not when
a large percentage of our people are
on the borderline of want and
poverty.
Our country has been at peace
since the World war and yet, during
the past eight years, in order that
there be no starvation, we have been
piling up national debt. It has been
estimated that we are to spend %
billions for national defense. Where
is that money coming from when
we can't keep on an even keel dur
ing peace times?
Under present conditions we real
ize that the United States must build
up her defenses SO as not to be at
tackled, but we do not have to write
dictatorial laws for use in peace
time.
Now we are confronted with the
lease-lend bill in Congress. The
sympathy of Americans in the preva-
lent European controversy is large
ly on the side of England. The lease
lend bill is heralded as legislation to
help England and many Americans
are for it on that ground, not being
aware of its dictatorial character. A
majority of the House of Repre-
sentatives voted for the bill the other
day, but most of the northwest men,
bers voted against it. Only one out
of the nine Minnesota representatives
voted for it, which is fairly good evil
dence that Minnesota citizens are OPP
posed to the bill.
Congressman Mas of ST. Paul, has
proposed that England sell the West
Indies to America on the same basis
that America bought four of the
smaller West Indies Islands from
Denmark about twenty years ago.
Aid to Britain should be on more
business-ike basis. England is still
indebted to America for the World
war and as long as she owns islands,
she might as well sell some of them
to America, the inhabitants being
willing, in order to pay up the old
debt and establish credit for the pay
ment of war goods that will be moved
from America to England. It has
also been suggested that naval bases
could be established by America in
the West Indies.
It is to be hoped that America can
remain out of war, and certainly,
so long as we are not in the confla-
grafton we must demand free speech.
It requires courage to oppose military
trends, and, therefore, we should ap-
preciate men like Lindbergh, Wheeler,
LaFollette and Landon for giving
fortnight expression to candid opin-
ions. When and if we get into war,
war hysteria and only one opinion are
inevitable.
Once a country has declared war
then discussions, debates, and diff
ferences of opinion are out. Democra-
cy is out. Then we do as the govern
nent directs. But until that time, or
as long as we are at peace with the
world, those who appreciate and love
democracy must have their say.
The lease-lend bill is sometimes
called a blank check to the president,
or the dictatorship bill, particularly
because of Section which reads as
follows:
SECTION III.
(A) Notwithstanding the provis-
ions of any other law, the President
may, from time to time, when he
deems it in the interest OF national
defense, authorize the Secretary OF
War, the Secretary of the Navy, or
the head of any other department or
agency of the government:
/. To manufacture in arsenal, rae