Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1941-08-07
TEST HAS COME
Editor ASkov American:


1t is easy to oppose wars between
wars, but when we come face to face
with the grave danger of involve
ment, it is sometimes difficult to stick
by our principles. Since the debacle
Of 1917-18, organized farmers have
repeatedly expressed their unalter-
able opposition to ever again send
ing our boys to fight and die on for
eign battle fields. No group has been
more steadfast in it's determination to
preserve and defend democracy here
in America nor more adamant in OPP
posing another A. E. F. to Europe.
Now the test has come. Will farm
ers stand by their peace principles
or will they be stampeded into sup
port of the very thing they have
fought against these many years
an A. E. F. to Europe, Africa or Asia?
New steps in a shooting" war are
coming fast. General Marshall has
asked Congress to do two things:
CD To repeal the privision in the
draft law that forbids the sending
of our army conscripts anywhere in
the world. (2) To extend the present
term of service of conscripts, reserve
officers and National Guard from the
one-year limit to an indefinite period.
The President, on learning from
Administration leaders how strong
the opposition is in Congress to both
these measures, has issued instruc-
tons to postpone for the time being
consideration of the first question,
while the second question is being
acted upon. Is it not possible that
this is tactical maneuver leading
step by step to the A. E. F.? 1t is
predicted in Washington that, if the
second measure seems likely to pass,
the A. E. F. provision will promptly
be inserted in the bill as an amend
ment.- We are not quite in the Shoot
ing war, yet, but we soon will be if
we fail to act promptly now! :.
With this in mind, if you agree with
us in opposing another A. E. F., say
so at once to Senator Robert Reynolds,
chairman of the Senate Military At
fairs committee, who is now holding
public hearings on this measure. Write
also to your own Congressman, Sena-
tors and the President himself. Get
others to do likewise. Bring this inn
portant matter before all your local
groups. Urge the passage of strong
resolutions and send copies to all
these men in high places just men,
toned.
The President is under terrific pres
sure from the British and from the
war party in our own country, in
Guiding members of his own cabinet,
such as Knox and Stimson. They
are urging him to forget the pledge
he made to the American people on
October 80, 1910, when he said:
"While I am talking to you mothers
and fathers, I give you one more as
surance. have said this before, but
shall say it again and again. Your
boys are not going to be sent into
any foreign wars"
All polls show that from 70 to 80
per cent of the American people want
the President to keep this solemn
pledge. Express in your letters the
confident hope that the, President
will keep his word to his fellow citi-
zens and urge that every possible
opportunity for an American peace
offensive be explored. Act at once!
Then watch closely what Congress
does with the bill. At the first sign
of danger that another A. E. F. is
actually being considered, protest
again more vigorously than before!
CHAS. D. EGLEY.
South st. Paul, MINI.