Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1941-01-09
4 Might Be
|Wrong--BUT|
by p. G. Strombera

That we are virtually at war
with Germany cannot be ques-
toned. In sentiment we have
been at war on the side of the
Allies since hostilities began.
Speaking of our intention to aid
Britain to the limit, President
Roosevelt told the Congress that
they - not we will choose
the time and the place and the
method of their attack" War is
being and has been waged
against US by totalitarian powers
through attacking our form of
government and all democratic
institutions. Germany and Italy
sought and secured a pact with
Japan guaranteeing mutual
military assistance. This ma
neuver was hailed in all three
countries as a direct warning to
the United States to refrain
from aiding the Allies lest she
become involved herself.
Riding on the crest of a vic
torious wave Hitler, with his
Italian friend, little realized the
lighting powers of the injured
and enraged British lion. Musso-
lini's modern army massacred
the Philippians and marched to a
quick conquest of that helpless
little country. Then Mussolini
gagged his entry into the war
against France and England
when France was already pros
trate and most of England's land
forces were being pushed into
The sea. Little did II Duce
realize that before the beginning
of another year his calculated
conquest of England's North
African colonies as well as his
unprovoked attack on Greece
would both be turned into in
glorious episodes in Italian mill
tary history. BY January, 1941,
England was supposed to have
capitulated = Italy would con-
trol Greece and Northern Africa
and Japan would be unchallenged
in her campaign in Asia. But
Great Britain, handicapped as
she was through the loss of men
and equipment, has not ceased
fighting. Instead, with the blood
Of her soldiers and civilians
alike, she is writing modern
chapters for history which will
command the respect and adj
'miration of generations to come.
Greece has shown fighting quail
ties which add to her military
glory while she tears into the
morale = not only of the Italian
army-but of the Italian people.
And where does this leave
Japan? Is she supposed to
prevent our sending aid to
England? Is she bound to de-
clare war on the United States
if Hitler gives the word? Did
Japan act too hastily or is she
prepared to war in the Pacific?
It seems that Japan, mighty as
: she is supposed to be, does not
relish trouble with Uncle Sam.
- seems that she erred in her
Judgment and now, like one of
hree bad boys caught in vicious
Expectations, is left holding the
ag while the other two got
. way.
We have plenty to fear, as the
President pointed out. But our
greatest peril lies in victory for
Germany and Italy. And that
being trueit is difficult to fathom
the reasoning of those few prom
Inent Americans who are even
how preaching further appease-
ment of dictators and warning of
hangers involved in our policy of
sending aid to Britain.
President Roosevelt is ex-
pressing the conviction and hopes
of ninety-eight per cent Of the
American people. He has no
problem, as Woodrow Wilson
had, Of first convicting Germany.
Germany stands convicted by her
own acts and it is to be hoped
that members Of Congress will
give President Roosevelt whole
hearted support and cooperation
hin his role as the spokesman for
America and champion Of human
Freedom throughout the world.