Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1943-02-04

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to the full realization of war
conditions of February, 1943.
It is less than three years
(thirty-three months), yet in
history 1910, 1941 and 1912
will stand out as one of the most
important periods. These months
viii measure the patriotism, the
ability of people to rule them
selves, the willing
Trying ness of men to
Days share their respon-
Ahead sibility to the ma
ton, the transit
ton of all to a war economy,
the complete unity of the
American people in their atti-
tude toward the war, the accept
ance of restrictions and sacri-
fees in the war effort and the
general condemnation of every
retarding influence.
With complete victory accom-
plished by the unconditional
surrender" of the Axis powers
and the record tucked away as
the worlds most important
document, future generations
will look to these months as
the proving ground for democ-
racy. Our ability to turn the
full force of our great indus
trial output entirely to the war
effort coupled with the amass-
ing of one of the worlds larg-
est and best equipped armed
forces will stand for centuries
as a warning to future dream
ers of world conquest.
Mistakes galore have been
made and other mistakes will
be made. Surviving these mis-
takes, and emerging stronger
as result is the truest test
of our national virility. Pos
terity will measure US by our
accomplishments rather than by
our mistakes unless too n my
mistakes lead to our undoing.
No longer do we hear any
talk of isolationism. No longer
do we hear talk of the war
being solely the business of
Europe. No longer do we hear
of the war in China being too
far removed to be of interest
to US. Distances have been so
much reduced that trouble in
China has a very definite effect
ON our safety. Never in the
future will we be able to sit
idly by when unrest in any
country on any continent threat
ems to disrupt the worlds
peace.
In World War / we fought
the war to end wars-the war
to make the world safe for de-
mocracy. They were beautiful
phrases but hav-
Warning ing won the war
Against we proceeded to
Repetition lose the peace by
sowing the seeds
for the present war right at
the peace conference. Mistakes
are excusable only when used
as a warning against repeti-
ton. We cannot afford to spend
our youth and our wealth again
without the assurance of final
victory-victory in this war to
end all wars.
And how are we progressing
toward that ultimate victory?
The past two to three months
have been crowned with more
favorable war news than all the
rest of the war combined. Yet
final victory is still far
removed. If we must inn
pose defeat on Germany through
military might alone we have
one of the toughest assign
ments any nation ever faced.
If victory over Japan can be
secured only through military
might we are still farther re-
moved. The stiffest campaigns
Of the war to date are imme-
diately ahead. In Africa both
the United Nations and the
Axis are girded for a battle the
outcome of which viii have
great bearing on the end of
war in Europe. If the United
Nations are successful in driv-
ing the Germans and Italians
out Of Tunisia in short time
without too much loss in men
and equipment the effect on