Milford chronicle., 1941-01-03
THAT MAY LEAD
US INTO WAR"

i committee lot Oele0b6 OL AueFICl
| by Aiding the Allies. AS public opin
ion is the court Of last resort, a fire.
discussion of general policies is ben
eflcial to the country.
On one proposition there is littl'
difference of opinion-War is bad fol
the country. On that point most o
us agree. Even Hitler and his friendi
do not want to see the U. s. A. en-
gagged in war-at least not until Ger
many controls the rest of the world
Most people are in favor of aiding
Great Britain as the best method o.
saving our own hides, but there are
differences of opinion as to how fal
we should go. Some of those differ
ences can be eliminated If we settle
first on some fundamentals.
First: Would this country fight II
there was actual invasion of conti-
mental u. S. A. +? The answer to this is
Yes" by almost everybody except
Hitler's friends and many pacifists,
Second; Can a nation keep out of
the war by resolving to do so? In
other words, IL we don't want to go
to war, can we be forced into it?
The answer is obvious. Neither Man
churia nor Ethiopia wanted war, but
they have been conquered. Spain was
not going to attack anybody, but Hit
Ter and his friends started the Revo-
luton which killed a million Span
iards. Austria, Czechoslovakia, and
Poland all wanted peace, but their
desire for peace did not save them.
Denmark, Norway, The Netherlands,
Luxenburg, and Belgium insisted on
being neutral, but neutrality was no
protection. Hitler did not attack
them all at one time. He was not
strong enough. So, he swallowed
them one by one. Nor will Hitler at
tack us until he is ready That is the
reason that Hitler's friends on this
side of the ocean are working to
keep us from helping Great Britain,
so that he can clean up Europe with
out interference. Then if Hitler
wants to have a war, could we pre-
vent it by saying that we did not
want one? There is only one ans
wer. We could not.
Third: Would Hitler be likely to
attack us after he had conquered
the rest of the world? The answer
to that is supplied by the Nazis them
selves. We are on their list of po-
teIftial victims. Individually and col
the Berlin-R Rome Tokyo al
lance has threatened us. If they
threaten us now when they can't
'each us, what will they do when
hey can attack us without interfer-
snce?
Fourth: Is it a positively known
act that Great Britain will defeat
iermany without our help? A few
,eople say so; many people hope
10; but the majority in this country
lon't think so. The unpleasant truth
e that Great Britain will probably
ose unless we help her quickly. AS
he big majority in this country II
lgree that Great Britain needs some
lelp, then the only difference Of
opinion among Americans is how
much help we should give.
Now it is easy to see the main
ssue of the discussion among Amer
cans (nOt includin9 pro-Nazis, paci-
lists, and appearers like Lindbergh).
)n one hand are those who hold that
maximum help to Great Britain is
lital to our own safety. On the other
land are those who are so afraid of
var, that they will take a chance on
citing Britain lose. They refuse to
Idmit that this may condemn Ameri-
.ans to slavery under Hitler and the
iestapo, with concentration camps
IS an added attraction. Both sides
ave a right to their opinions. But
hat is the issue, and it must be met
md decided on its merits.
Those advocating full help to
treat Britain have counted the cost
nd are willing to pay the price of
ecoming involved in war. They
now war is hell, but if there is go
ng to be one, a foreign war is
icnic compared to domestic war.
furthermore, fighting in Europe with
lies and probably winning is far,
al better than fighting alone in the
!. S. A. and probably losing.
Those who oppose full aid to Great
Iritain use the argument: THAT
lay lead us into war" This state
lent is foolish and absurd. At the
resent time we are the ones that
an say whether or not we will go
} war. Hitler is not in a position to
O so. But just wait until Great
iritain is defeated in the spring, and
ne positions will be reversed.
There is really only one issue-
laximum aid to Great Britain or
ossible slavery under Hitler. Those
'ho oppose Hitler have decided what
ley want. On the other side, those
-ho favor Hitler know what they
ant-but they don't say so openly
et They use such expressions as
America First" "that may lead US
ito war" or keep America as the
eacon light of civilization"
In between the two groups are a
Irge number who hate to face the
lcts of life. They are uncertain
bout what they should do, because
ley lack the moral courage to take
definite stand. But at least they
lould not allow themselves to use
lie phrase that may lead us into
ar" That phrase will be spread
: Hitler's agents anyway.
In a few months the issue may
range to-War now or Hitler even
Ially. So take your choice now
,enly. Help Britain 1000, or not
all. But those who are willing to
Ike chance on living like slaves
lder Hitler should allow the rest
us to express a different opinion.