Montgomery County sentinel., 1941-09-04
/ Might Be
Wrong--BUT
by p. G. Stromberg

Lndbergh's effort to sway pub
lie opinion against England is
to wonder how he can justify
his attitude. Lindbergh was
honored as only few sons of
America have ever been hon.
ored. AS youngster he was
given commission as Colonel.
He was sent on a goodwill tour
Of South American Republics
and in Mexico met the daugh-
ter Of the American Ambas-
sador (Anne Morrow who is
now Mrs. Lindbergh. AS an
outstanding citizen, become inn
mensely wealthy as result of
his marriage. he was unfor-
tunately a victim of the wave
Of crime which swept the coun-
try during the days of pro-
hibition. He lost his first son
through kidnapping and murder,
and following the conviction of
Hauptmann, left the United
States and took up residence in
England. There he was ac-
corded every courtesy and con-
sideration and it was generally
felt in this country that he
probably would renounce his
American citizenship. He did
some flying during the time he
spent abroad and on one of his
trips made an inspection of the
air forces of European coun-
tries. On his return to Eng
land the then Colonel Lind
bergh reported his impression
Of the might Of the fast grow
ing German air force and the
sad condition Of the air forces
Of other countries. He was
severely criticized in England
which possibly accounts for his
deep feeling against the British.
He was decorated by the Nazis'
which possibly accounts for his
apparent friendly feeling for
the Germans. F
All of this might conceivably
explain his personal convictions.
But what reason can be ad-
vanced for him doing his utmost
to prevent his own country max
ing supreme effort to ward
off the inevitable attack on our
democracy? Certainly, in fair
ness, it must be granted that
he is not an American Quisling.
It must be assumed that he
cherishes the normal ambitions
of men in high places and there
fore desires his name to be
honored by posterity. 1t must
be assumed that he understands
what is meant by the American
way of life. Yet, if we assume
all of the above, the only reason
able explanation which might
be advanced for his attitude is
that his powers of deduction
are SO twisted that he cannot
think clearly. He must be the
victim of that type of weak
ness which permits judgment to
be swayed by bias and preju-
dice.
Honored as he has been by
the present generation of Amer
leans, considered at one time
one Of the worlds leading fig
ures, he has lost much of the
admiration which he enjoyed in
such abundance. When the
time came for him to do some
thing for his country by going
into active service where his
presence would have been a
source of inspiration and en-
couragement to millions of
youngsters he found it expedi-
ent to resign his commission
and take the stump against the
Governments policies.
If the future proves him
merely the victim of bad reason
ing the American public will
be kind enough to forgive. But
he has cast aside forever the
greatest reputation ever at
tanned by an American.
Should he be condemned, criti-
cized or pitied? By his latest
blast (when he warned of Eng
land turning on the United
States as she has on France
and little Finland) he has al
most completely neutralized any
further attempts to sway Opin-