Evening star., 1942-02-23


Of World War II are dictated.
I'm not knocking confidence or
preaching defeatiSm, mind you' pu'
the alarming aspect Of this coun-
try's confidence is that apparently
it is based on tradition and past
performances and does not spring
from the knowledge that every in
dividual citizen is doing his utmost.
Too many Of us are counting on
the other fellows carrying the load.
We overlook the fact that too many
of the other fellows are counting
on us to bear the burden. That's
the vicious circle from which sprang
the "let George do it" phrase.
To my mind, the President could
not have done a better thing than
when, In a press confidence. ne
warned that an enemy attack on
New York or Detroit was entirely
possible. We need to be aroused 70
the fact that ever since we joined
this bloody business, we have en-
ioyed nothing but a sound kicking
around.
Japan Hasn't Lost War.
We have never lost war, but so
what?
Neither has Japan.
We are not going TO win this one
by thumbing through the pages OF
history. The glorious deeds Of our
ancestors are not going to be enough
to see us through unless they serve
as an inspiration to make each and
every one of US worthy Of those
deeds.
This country's reaction 30 far to
the setbacks we have suffered Is
remindful of the batter who returns
to the bench after having struck
out and says, 'he amt got nothing
on the ball but the cover" or the
fighter who has been carried back
to his corner and who. when he
comes to, says, Dat bum can't hit
hard enough to bust an egg"
It's the attitude Of the old champ
who knows he used TO be good. but Is
soft and out OF condition, who still
has contempt for the youngster who
Is hard as nails, mean as the devil,
and Just aching to knock somebody's
head of.
Let's quit being SNUG, folks. Let's
admit that we are up against the
toughest, meanest, orneriest, best
conditioned fighters we have ever
faced. without losing any of our
confidence, let's realize that the
best way to justify that confidence
Is to look the danger in the face.
double up our fists and start swing
ing at it.
Over Confidence Is Deadly.
When I say this country is too
confident for its own good know
what I'm talking about. Since I
started of on this tranScontinental
hop I've seen and heard things that
would astound you. People turning
of late war news to tune In on
dance band. People boarding golf
balls in fear they wouldn't have any
to play with two or three years from
now. People saying we could al
ready have bombed and burned
Toxic If we weren't too kindly and
considerate.
I haven't heard any actual COM
planning by people of having to do
without sugar and rubber and other
vital commodities, but In. telling
you I haven't heard any who ex-
pressed a gladness In having to do
without. Not until the danger we
are in is fully realized by the citizens
and they start wanting to sacrifice.
is this country really going on the
march.
Someone in high authority, one
whose words carry weight, should
start a campaign in this country
a campaign devoted to making lis
Americans stop undertaking the
enemy and overrating ourselves.
The next step after confidence is
overconfidence, and that is deadly.
Distributed by McNausht Syndicate. Incl