The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1942-04-27
. Clapper
New Spirit OF VIII TO
De Found in America
U. S. Jumping TO job Of
Licking AXIS Enemies
IsoIsiionism Abandoned
BY Everyone for Present
By RAYMOND CLAPPER

BY RAYMOND CLAPPER
WASHINGTON - Returning
after some weeks abroad l sense
a deep change in America. as II
a new spirit had taken hold Of
the country. Everything I have
observed since landing confirms
that bunch.
For the first time I get the
feeling that we are really In the
war. about In spirit ~ well -
In action. Bickerins. doubts asl
questions, our national conflict
Of soul. seem TO have been re-
placed by action.
The first newspaper I saw was
devoted almost entirely to re-
porting war activity rather than
argument about the war. People
are busy with specific jobs and
are concerned with getting them
done. From friends out in the
country I hear that they are no
longer interested in talk but in
winning the war as quickly a.
possible. Their boys are already
out on firing lines and some are
among the lost and captured.
For them there can be no moro
argument. only victory.
Criticism is not of broad pol
icies but of delays and obstacles
10 the war effort. Sacrifices
seem to be accepted with relief
rather than complaint. They
give us part in the war. Dras-
tic tax talk coming out Of con-
gress indicates members are be-
ing encouraged from home to 20
as far as they can. l have seen
many indications that produce
ton is gaining surprisingly and
is piling up for want of ships
and planes to carry it. Every
where one gets a sense of action
and bursting growth of the war
effort, which is also visible from
week to week In Africa and
Asia.
The most spectacular indica-
ton of change is the action Of
the Republican national com.
mittee at Chicago a few days
ago. Not only was there a full
endorsement of the war effort,
which WAS to have been expect
ed, but the party leaders sban-
doned their isolationist position
so completely as to recognize
Americas obligation to cooper
ate with other nations in estab-
fishing a free world after the
war.
That declaration went against
the convictions of some Of the
Republican leaders and was not
30 much evidence that q new
light had dawned as that public
sentiment had dictated o new
stand.
Where earlier argument and
propaganda left us divided,
events seem to have achieved q
national solidarity and a release
of energy that must be decisive
In winning the war.
Abroad one is always con-
scious of the scale and drive
which Americans put into any,
thing they are fully resolved to
do. In construction of airfields
miracles are being worked.
Asphalt machines move along
laying runway strips a mile an
hour. Fuel pumps enable planes
To be gsssed in 20 minutes in
stead Of an hour by hand filling.
Railroad tracks are being laid
five miles a day. Any number
Of projects are being finished in
half the scheduled time. Main
tenance, repair and salvage are
carried on with speed and eff
cheney new TO some parts of the
world.
That energy and mechanical
skill and the large-scale mag
ination behind them are dis
tinctly American. They show
up abroad a. well as ut home.
1 never have had any doubt
about what America could do.
Now IL seems to me that the
VIII TO do II has been mustered
and Is eserting its full force.
II that is so. IL there has been
the deep change in America
that sense on returning. the
outcome Of the war cannot be
IN serious doubt. ! believe we
have now fully determined 70
do N. job, and If 30 il will be
done.