The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-01-07
PRAYER VITAL
 WEAPON IN WAR
Franciscan Priest Reviews Worldwide Struggle at
 Supper Clubs Meeting

The efficacy of prayer has been proved time and again in turning the aggressor aside and can suc- ceed in the current world turmoil, the Rev. Peter Baptist Duffee, O. F. M, professor of sacred eloquence at the Franciscan Monastery in New York City, told members of the Catholic Mems Supper Club at their monthly meeting in the Hotel Elton last evening.
 Keep America the dynamo and powerhouse of Christianity as she is the arsenal and treasury of democracy, the speaker urged in his concluding remarks which consti- tuted a remarkably complete and analytical discussion of the World War now going on.
 Father Duffee drew & comparison between the present warfare in the Far East and that in Europe, stat ing that 1t is obvious that Japan and Germany have had for years agreements and pacts and that to- day we are but witnessing the full ffllment of these far-flung plans. The spe: ,ker had little praise for Russia in the war, because he ex- plained that only through Russian forbearance has Japan been able to throw such a strong and we'll trained war force against the CO., lonial possessions of America, Brit ain, and the Netherlands.
 He urged Americans to have re- Yoy~ foNf}cc or1 anese aggression and not to jump to the conclusion that the little yellow nen" could be knocked cut with few light taps. He cited in stances in their surprise raids on Hawaii to show how well-trained their bombing squadrons are and what good planes they are now em- ploying.
 A lifeline between Japan and Germany by way of India Is the ultimate hope of the Axis powers, according to Father Duffee's inter- pretation of the present war strat- egy. He believes that if Singapore falls, the Japanese will put pres sure on the important bases in the Dutch East Indies as well as Ma laya from which point they hope to strike at the heart of India.
 Success in these endeavors will prolong the war indefinitely as they will provide Japan and in turn her allies in Europe with vast stores Of raw materials as well as foodstuffs and countless untapped resources ill the regions they will control. Seldom has more thorough and ] penetrating analysis of the war map of the world been completed in so short a time as Father Duffee devoted to 1t. He is speaker of much force, shows complete under standing of his subject, and is not
 His talk last night was the occa- sion of much favorable comment from the exceptionally large at tnedance present.
 Joseph Sullivan acted as toast- master for the occasion.
 A delegation of Franciscan Club members from Hartford, headed by Judge Thomas J. Molloy of the Hartford Court of Common Pleas, was present at the supper. Fol- lowing the talk meeting of the Franciscan Club was held with Father Duffee and Judge Molloy addressing members.
 At a meeting of the Past Grand Knights Association after the Sup per Club session, Charles E. Mo- Donald was elected president and Charles '. Ba-.non secretary. Cor nelius F. Maloney, Michael J. Con- Ian, and Judge John L. Gaffney were named to the board of direc- | tors The club will meet oEce a month and will devote itself to pro- noting the welfare of Columbianism in Waterbury