The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1941-09-18
RISKS AND COSTS

Few Americans, other than those
incurably isolationists, could fail to
respond favorably to the speech of
the President last Thursday, in which
he gave this nations answer to the
various Nazi attacks upon American
vessels. It was devoid of bluff or blus-
ter. clear, strong, self-respecting, al
together admirable.
$3.50
As leader of the nation, Mr.. Roose-
welt hardly could have said less, and
it is easy to understand the difficult
ties which prevented him from say
ing more. Nevertheless, there was
more that could have been said Per-
haps he went as far as it was posi-
bic for him to go at this time, but
from the standpoint Of our own ma
tional interests it is fortunate the full
truth could not be told. The full truth
is that, advanced as is the position he
has taken in the order to shoot on
sight Nazi submarines or raiders in
defensive waters" it still is an mad
equate position. 1t fails fully to meas
ure up to the logic of the Presidents
presentation. 1t does not meet the
actualities of the situation and it i'm
mitted-to-wit, the crushing of Hit
Ter. That being our openly declared
goal, it is impossible to argue that
what we are doing is consistent or
sensible, because it is perfectly clear
that we are doing far less than we
can do.
The President tells the American
people and the world that Hitler's
first purpose is to dominate the At
lantic Ocean and that his next step
would be domination of the United
States and the Western Hemisphere.
He tells them, further, that without
the British Navy we could not prevent
that domination. These things are
true beyond question. And being true,
the Presidents speech does not fully
meet the facts For one thing, it con-
veys the impression that the United
States insists upon the freedom of the
seas in order peacefully to pursue its
commerce and is solely concerned in
defending itself.
###
Whereas the facts are that our YES
sells are engaged in transporting mu-
nitions and supplies to the British,
which they must have to survive the
German attack, and our Icelandic oc-
cupation is of immense help in that
direction. For another thing, the
speech utterly failed to mention the
fact that there is still on the statute
books a neutrality law which cramps
our national muscles; and that We
still adhere to policy of refusing to
convoy the cargo boats which take
our goods to England In addition,
our merchant vessels are prohibited
from carrying guns with which to de-
fend themselves.
M#*
So long as these prohibitions re-
main in force this nation is in the po-
sition of man who goes into action
to defend his home with one hand
tied behind him. If, as the President
says, Hitler's purpose is to dominate
the Atlantic and then dominate our
selves, clearly the sooner Hitler is
crushed the less cost to us. No policy
that does not permit the use of our
full weight is an inadequate policy.
Any policy that unnec@ ,arily pro-
longs the war, even il ,ory comes
in the end, is an unsound policy.
###
Our policy is doing exactly that. 1t
is conceded that Hitler cannot be
beaten except by the United States, 1t
is conceded that two things needed to
get the supplies to the British and
insure against Hitler domination of
the seas are to arm our merchant YES
sells and to use our navy to convoy
supplies. Those are the steps needed to
make our position logical, consistent
and effective Those are the steps
needed to measure up to the national
policy that, at all costs, Hitler must
be crushed. This is so clear that not
even the isolationists would dispute it.
Once you accept the thesis that Hit
ler's defeat is essential to our ma
tional safety, there is no ground for
argument.
OF course the President appreciates
this. SO does every reasonably in
formed person. Why, then, is it not
done? Why is not the remnant of this
handicapping Neutrality Act wiped
out? The reason given is that the
President could not get the repeal
through Congress and that the people
are not ready for full participation.
But, if the people accept-and an over
whelming majority of them do-the
Roosevelt declation that Hitler men
aces our safety, it is difficult to believe
that they want to retain law which
handicaps the President and helps
Hitler They are not that stupid. Once
it is fully explained to them-as the
prneido,,+ nov, o~p1ain- that the Neil