Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1941-05-22
i Might Be
|WrOng-BUT|
=by P. G. Strombere

~ 10 JUST q year SllCc LIc
world-especially the United
States-was shocked and horri-
fed over the Nazi invasion of
Holland and Belgium. Yet that
horror was mild in comparison
with the feeling created by the
sudden realization of our lack
of any semblance of modern
defense.
The past twelve months have
recorded more historic events
than any like period in the his
tory of nations. What the
future holds no man can tell,
but those Of US who live to view
these months in retrospect will
find anxious ears to hear first
hand impressions.
It is probably well for US to
pause in reflection in order to
gain a fair view of the United
States in May, 1941, compared
with May, 1910. As we tread
life's way, the days and weeks
often seem slow. Yet the years
are fieeting and what seemed
interminably slow of accom-
plishment appears as a fact re-
corded in the dim past. Such
is certainly the case in America
today. Once we were stirred to
action we became restless in our
desires and demands to make
immediate correction. Many of
US are still restless and still
demand faster action, but, in
general, only reinsurance can
result from a survey of the
defense effort.
To be sure there are many
angles which can be reasonably
criticized. Our net result could
have been even more encourage
ing and re-assuring had there
been less hesitancy on the part
of higher officials to make final
and important decisions. We
could have been much farther
advanced had there been no
strikes.
We could have gained even
more time had Congress not
given up so much time to allow
the Wheelers, Clarks, Nyes,
LaFollettes, Lodges, Tafts, ct
al, full opportunity to record
opposition to the Lend-Lease
Bill. But, after all, that is the
American way and the Ameri-
can way is the very thing for
which we are making such
great sacrifices to defend. I
have had little patience with
the tactics of our long-winded
and obstructive minority. I
become incensed whenever any
man attempts to hinder our full
speed ahead. Still, I chide my
own intolerant attitude when I
contemplate the progress we
have made in spite of any and
all efforts to the contrary. I'd
like to be patient and tolerant
of those who do not agree with
our national policy, but 1 can't
find that type of virtue in my
makeup. Even though we are
forced to concede the opposing
minority its right to hinder at
every turn, I still feel that it
should do all in its power to
achieve absolute unity in our
foreign relations.
With time as the essence of
our entire defense and Aid-to-
Britain program it is rather
difficult to avoid viewing with
alarm" the many strikes which
have served to retard prac-
tically every industry engaged
in defense work.
One year ago President Roose-
welt had not been nominated
for a third term. He is now
serving his third term and no
man in America can put a stop
to most-if not all-of the de-
lays in our defense effort
except the President. He has
the money. He has the Con-
gress. He has public good will.
He has the full support of
Wendell Willkie, who received
% million votes in 1910. In
the popular varnacular, che has
what it takes" All that is
missing is his win to order a
STOP SIGN on delays. When
he does he win have made
Ftill 81 b place at least in
meri istory-second to no