The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1941-11-27
"V" FOR VICTORY
Editor, The Citizen:

O1t WA OLA
Editor, The Citizen:
IN America we have discarded
the concepts that we are the
/ prototypes of civilization, and
blended into our national life
the nations Of the world. Amer
lea is referred to as the melting
pot of the universe, but it should
be described as the haven for
the oppressed.
We Americans do not know
the meaning of air raids and
blaekouts. Our two great Demo-
cratic nations must act in unison
If they are to preserve their
cherished Institutions and tradi-
tons. America has received the
challenge and IS forging ahead
for the greatest counter-offen-
sive within the annals of It's
history This offensive is indus
trial in order TO prove that we
are the arsenal of Democracy
and that we viii deliver the
goods.
The city of my birth, Key
West, is necessarily pro-British,
because eighty per cent Of the
population, both white and col
ored are direct descendants o<
emigres from the Bahamas or
England itself. Our tiny island
which commands the entrance
to the Gulf Of Mexico and the
Caribbean is counterpart of
that symbol of British power, the
Rock of Gibraltar" Every is
land over which the British flag
waves is important because each
one of these cells is spore of
national unity and defense, for
it is they who provide the food
and supplies which maintain the
life line of the Empire.
Sympathy and tolerance are
desirable. but what IS needed Is
unanimous and concerted effort
by all Democratic people to dis
card all unnecessary emotional
ism. higher respect for all
men, regardless Of their station.
and annihilation Of religious
pfeiudces. The war has accom-
plsAed social reforms for Eng
land that would otherwise have
been unattainable forss possibly
several generations. We view
with disnay fhe destruction Of
certain standards, but there are
those which must be countenanc-
ed as profitable TO mankind.
Sometimes IT takes national
disaster to make US realize the
plight of our fellowman. but once
we have awakened to the acute
ness OF the situation. there IS
complete unity to share the bur
dens Of all The smiling faces Of
the English people IN the face Of
air raid destruction swells the
national spirit into one great
choir Of There VIII Always Be
An England.
Hitler may destroy the cuI-
tural ceaters Of TIE continent
and England. He may even THROW
the leaders of the conquered na-
tons into concentration camps.
but be cannot destroy the viii
Of those people who are deteers1-
med to rise again and glessssJjyf
their oppressor. TIE abEkEs.
the public buildings and re
beautiful palaces. which ard =
part of England itself may be
destroyed. but there has arisen
IN the hearts and minds of al
Enslishnen newer and finer
concept for his feIIowmsn. Many
have died, ard many more win
be called upon TO make the su-
preme sacrifice, but no man win
shirk his duty that England
might live as free nation.
Bombs now rain he'll and de-
stzuction on helpless cities, but
some day we viii listen to the
soft patter OF raindrops on the
fertile fields and watch the eff
fort Of God and man TO create
new life and not destroy It The
memory Of those brave men who
died a. DunkeFoue. in Greece,
and N Crete viii never be ef-