The Wilmington morning star., 1946-07-04
independence Day

ceased firing. With our economic struc-
ture out of plum we make a brave show
of the observance, remembering the
document from which the holiday
sprung, but with troubled hearts withal,
and anxiety of mind.
Yet it is to be remembered that the
little nation which came into existence
with the signing of the Declaration of
Independence was ala in a state of
unrest, contrary political faiths,
economic instability, and it was not un-
til the Revolution had long passed that
sound, constructive policies for progress
through unity became effective.
Dark as the outlook is today, we
have reason to hope, on the strength
of our past record, that we will emerge
triumphant over internal strife, as we
did over foreign foes once we find our
way back to the standards of the
Founding Fathers and common sense
of a great majority of the pioneers.
Look backward one year. On July
4, 1915; General Macarthur announc-
ed the Australian invaders of Balikpa-
pen, Borneo, captured the Macassar
Strait village of Sepinggang with it's
airdrome-the largest in the area.
In Paris General deGaulle paid
tribute to the United States and the
former Avenue Emanuel III was re-
christened Avenue President Roose-
welt.
At home the Governors Conference
at Mackinac endorsed the San Fran
cisco Charter as the firm founda-
ton" toward Justice and peace" and
in another resolution pledged support
to Congress and federal agencies in
efforts to solve the food problem.
The Wal Production Board authoriz-
ed unlimited use of beet molasses for
sugar production, and announced that
the United States in 1914 had produc-
ed $61,310,000, 1000 worth, or Is per
cent, of the worlds munitions, includ-
ing 96,359 planes, 30,889 ships and IT,
sos tanks.
The Agricultural Department de-
clared the farm population had fallen
off 100000, to a total Of $3.50. 900
persons since 1910.
The Surplus War Property Board
proclaimed its policy to dispose of gov
ernment-owned plants, especially those
of medium and small size, to "local and
small rather than national and large
concerns"
Postmaster General Robert E. Han
negan, speaking in Gainesville, Geor-
gia, said there was threatening and
inspiring unity" behind President
Truman.
Today, not only Borneo but all ter
rltory occupied by japanese forces has
been surrendered. There is talk in
France of General deGaulle's return to
the political scene, which may or may
not be a blessing, depending on whether
he has at last learned that he is not
heavens own deputy. When the Cover
nors Conference endorsed the San Fran
cisco Charter they were not aware that
it had come out of the Teheran, Yalta
and Potsdam parleys in shreds, nor have
they been successful in helping ma
terially to solve the food problem. It
is not apparent that the privilege of
using beet molasses for sugar has had
an appreciate effect upon the coun-
try's supply.
There is not much indication that
the decrease in farm population dur
ing the war has been substantially
reversed, nor that the bulk of little
war plants has been disposed Of as in
tended.
Postmaster General Hannegan could
not truthfully repeat his Gainesville
assertion concerning the backing of
President Truman, who has failed to
show the leadership the people were
encouraged to believe he possessed
during the early days of his admins