Milford chronicle., 1941-03-14

45-AAzI HUH AoE8A " EAA4-AGe
In future years, historians will
record the swift changes that took
place in the temper and attitude OF
the American people and their lead
ers during 1910 and 1941. Looking
back now on the months that fol-
lowed the outbreak OF World War
II, it seems as If we lived then in
another world. The majority of the
people wanted neutrality and they
wanted no part of Europe's newest
mess. They wanted to avoid the
risk of war at all costs. And the
statesmen who represented them felt
the same way.
Today the polls show that we still
want to keep out Of war-but that a.
considerable majority, despite that,
favor helping England to the fullest
extent even IL it involves the risk
of our being drawn into war. No
one talks Of neutrality-it is as dead
as Moses. The cash-and-carry pol
icy has been virtually forgOtten-it
is perfectly clear that every financial
resource will be used to help arm
Britain no less than ourselves. The
American people, in short, are vio-
lentIy partisan, and the American
nation is definitely and irretrievably
involved in the war.
What has caused this change? IT.
took us almost three years to be-
come really anti-German in the last
war-it took us less than year this
time. Better communication, both
verbal and visual, has been factor.
So has the amazing courage of the
British people the Americans like
and respond to any display of brav-
cry against odds. Most important, in
all probability, has been the fast
growing feeling that our destiny
and Britain's are intermixed and in
separable, and that if Britain falls
we will be in grave danger.
There are those who stoutly belle
this doctrine, but they are much In
the minority. The President obvious
ly thinks that Britain is fighting for
us as well as for herself. So do most
members of Congress. So do the
bulk of the leading commentators.
So does long list of principal daily
newspapers. That is why opposition
to the lend-lease bill has made SO
little progress. There Just isn't
enough support behind it.
Last chance of defeating or seri-
ously modifying the bill-and, at
best, it was an extremely frail chance
died when Wendell Willkie took
the stand. Mr.. Willkie received 22,-
100000 American votes last Novem-
ber, only 100000 less than the
President. His trip to England, in
which he crammed months Of visit
ing talking and investigating, into
a few days and nights, was a dra-
matte pilgrimage. He made a fine
impression abroad. While he has
lost some of his past supporters, he
has gained new friends and follow
ers. So when Willkie said he was
100 per cent in favor of the bill,
with certain notifications, and went
even farther than the President in
some respects (by suggesting that
we give Britain outright destrOyers
and Army bombers) the die was cast.
The two mens who were given the
votes Of close to 50,000,000 Ameri-
cans in their race for the presiden-
cy, and who stand out head and
shoulders above any other national
figures of this day, believe that Eng
lands fate and our fate cannot be
separated. There is no doubt of
their sincerity-even as there is no
doubt of the sincerity Of those who
still hold to a different and opposed
point of view. And there is no doubt
that this country is committed to the
hilt to the policy for which Roose-
welt and Willkie stand.
Today millions of Americans hate
Hitler and what he represents with
an almost personal hatred. For Mus
solini they have contempt and
laughter These millions. of Ameri-
cans feel that the dictators are their
enemies, just as they are England's
enemies. The old crimes and mis-
takes Of imperial England have been
forgotten. And in the opinion of
many a thoughtful student, we our
selves are about to embark, from
necessity, on an unprecedented i'm
perial policy of our own.
90
II is forecast that the Treasury
will not offer any new tax proposals
until late spring. By then, it should
have fairly good idea Of how much
the lend-lease bill, plus our own re-
armament, is going to cost, and how
much of the total it is advisable to
pay for as we go.
Higher direct and indirect taxes
are. of course, considered inevitable
in informed circles. That means fur
ther upping of the income tax rate
in all brackets, and perhaps further
lowering of exemptions. 1t also may
mean new taxes on commodities. to
be collected at the source rather
than from the consumer.
The sales tax has many support
ers. So Ear. this tax has been oppos-
ed by the Administration. but some
feel that it will eventually be ac-
cepted as matter of necessity.
State sales taxes have proven tre-
mendous and dependable revenue
producers. A national sales tax
should go a long way toward meet
ing the arms bill