Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-03-14
IN THE
NEWS
Washington, ID. c.,
February 20, 1941.

MIR. william Randolph Hearst,
San Simeon. California.
Dear Mr.. Hearst:
THE timelIness OF your recent
i article depicting the interna-
tional situation In the Pacific has
impressed me so much that l have
taken the liberty of having 1t re-
produced I'm the Congressional
Record In order that II might come
to the attention of all the men,
bers of Congress. The emphasis
which you placed upon the impor-
lance OF the Pacific in the future
can not be stressed too highly.
Would that your vision of Pacific
problems might be instilled into
the minds of all Americans living
on the eastern sea coast.
Not having direct contact with
the Pacific. people in other Sec
tions Of the country are unaware
OF the historical events transpiring
at this time throughout the Pacific
area.
The present war In China Is
bringing about a commercial and
industrial development that the
world will not appreciate until
after peace has again been re-
stored. Present defense activities
of Australia In promoting her in
dustrial development will likewise
mean an Increase In commerce and
trade. The development Of closer
understanding between the United
States and the countries OF Gen.
trail and South America, particu-
larry those bordering the Pacific,
will bring about a growth Of our
own industry and shipping activi-
ties between these countries and
the United States.
On every hand growth. progress,
and development are indicated
throughout the four corners Of
the Pacific area.
This gives rise TO the necessity
for the United States to protect Its
future interest In this sphere.
1t Is important that our COM
merciai aviation be maintained.
To do this we must retain our
landing fields In Hawaii, Midway,
Wake, Guam, and the Philippines.
II Is equally essential that our
commercial shipping should be exs
banded In the Pacific, and that
American trade should be pro-
NOTED through an American mer-
chant marine In the Pacific.
Tho real outlet, and the only
expanding outlet for American
commerce entering into export. Is
confined TO the Pacific. The inccs-
SAINT turmoil and conflict In Eu-
rope, together with the conflicting
competition OF European nations.
destroy the Atlantic as q valuable
outlet for the expansion of our
own foreign commerce. For the
welfare OF the nation, II Is essen
tiai that we guarantee and protect
our commerce in the Pacific II our
export trade il 10 be continued.
Only by adequate defense Of
American possessions In the Pa
cific, as you have 30 ably pointed
out. can we guarantee our future
security.
Yet, merely the first steps have
been taken to protect Alaska. The
entire Pacific coast lacks The ordi-
nary weapons of defense 30 vital
TO its protection.
Here In Washington we are con-
fronted with an anomalous situa-
ton. We are told that because of
the vulnerability of southern Cali
fornia our aircraft industry must
be scattered far and wide through
out the nation. When we urge ade-
quate defenses we are told that
because of its location southern
California Is not vulnerable, but
totally immune from attack.
While the nation goes forward
with the construction of several
new powder manufacturing and
shell-loading plants, the Pacific
area is completely ignored. In fact,
one can find no ammunition fac
tory nor shell-Ioading plant nor
ordnance manufacturing anywhere
west OF the Mississippi.
Little wonder that when so
many essential defense items are
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