The Daily Alaska empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1926-1964, 1950-09-05

Any Aqqressor Would Get
Biq JOLT in Attack Made
On Alaska, Says kepner

Alaska can De ueleIlutu Will
the troops we now have" said 1t
Gen. w. E. Kepner, Commander
in-Chief of U. S. Armed Forces in
Alaska who addressed the 31st an
nual Department of Alaska conven-
ton of the American Legion In
Juneau Sunday.
General Kepner, who stopped
here overnight Saturday on his first
visit to the Territorial Capitol, told
Legionnaires, Il don't say that AL
aska couldn't be taken by an en-
envy force nor do I say it could be
taken but, any aggressor would re-
ceive a big jolt in an attack on
Alaska"
He also pointed out that present
military strategy is to defend the
heartlines of the Territory rather
than the costly deployment of men
all along the many thousands OF
miles on the Alaska coastline. He
reminded his attentive audience
that the area north of the Ohio
River contains approximately 81
percent of U. S. economy and
strength and can be easily reached
by bomber from Alaska. The Ter
ri.ory is the closest to this area
that an enemy would want for a
base of operations to make it pos
sible to bomb our large centers Of
population.
Alaska Strategic Point
The General also said that, using
the type OF military planes which
have been in general operation fol
the past year, Seattle is now only
about an hours flight from Alaska
He stated that Alaska is definitely
strategic to the defense of the
United States.
Statutes Legion Efforts
General Kepner complimentec
the American Legion for it's past
and present activity on behalf OF
national defense. He pointed ou'
that what little preparation this
nation made prior to World War II
was due largely to the voice Of
the Legion.
He stated fatty that there is
nothing for anyone to be COM
placent about in the present inter
national situation and pleaded fol-
continued watchfulness and prepa-
ration. He was especially con-
cerned about good research anc
development program Tor thu
Armed Forces pointing out that the
results from such program will
not only save the lives of American
boys but will aid in winning wars
when it is necessary for us to fight
them.
1--WE must prepare ourselves" he
said, ito avoid costly sacrifices Of
American lives. However, when the
chips are down, we can depend
upon Americas sons. But" hi
asked, can we depend on oul
leaders,"
"You are the leaders," he told
the assembled Legionnaires, "anc
it is up to you to see that our
leaders do not fail"
Assails Labor Disputes
IT have job to do" General
Kepner said, land I'm not going
to take sides in disputes between
labor and management but, because
of the short construction season
in Alaska, 1 find tieups costly. A
tieup of a few weeks may NEAR
delay of several months on q
vital military project. I would like
to see work continue and have dis
putes settled by negotiations dur
ing the construction season.
Kepner's talk which preceded
those of Governor Ernest Gruenint
and American Legion Nationa
Vice Commander j. E. Martie, wa
warmly received by the audieEc'
who gave him a great ovation.
Democracy is Next Topic
Gov. Gruening, the next fea
tured speaker, discussed the ma
chinery and theories of democrac,
and the democratic way of life
He stressed the fact that dem
ocracy, in order to work, require
unceasing effort by everyone. w
get out of democracy" he declared
lust what we put into it,"
He urged everyone to take al
interest in the affairs of their com
munity and its various organic
ations. 1--WE are enjoined to dem
onstrate by our deeds and action
that democracy is a living faitl
and. although it is far from per
feet, it carries within itself tn